Clayton State women make it four straight with 70-33 victory over Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

SAN JUAN, P.R. – December 10, 2011 – Playing outside of the continental United States for the first time in program history, the Clayton State Laker women's basketball team rolled to an impressive 70-33 victory over Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras on Saturday.

The victory was the fourth straight for Clayton State, ranked sixth in Division II. The Lakers improve to 7-1 overall.

"We really defended well today, especially in our half-court defense," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. "If anything, this tested our mental toughness with the whirlwind of the trip and the surroundings down here."

Despite shooting 53 percent from the field in the first half, Clayton State could not pull away from the pesky Rio Piedras team. The Lakers held only a 10-point lead, 24-14 at halftime.

However, Clayton State owned the second half as the Lakers erupted for 46 points. Clayton State held Rio Piedras to only 36 percent shooting in the second half, including 0-for-10 from 3-point range.

Four players reached double-figures for the Lakers. Sophomore center Shacamra Jackson just missed a third double-double on the season as she scored 14 points with nine rebounds to pace the Lakers. Junior center Shannon Smith had her best game yet in Laker uniform with 12 points and six rebounds, while junior guard Drameka Griggs also scored 12 points.

"Those two (Jackson and Smith) really stepped up well for us, and they had no answer for us in the post," Cox said. "Our length really got to them."

In addition, junior guard Keona Dixon added 10 points off the bench for Clayton State. For the game, the Lakers had 37 points off the bench and out-rebounded Rio Piedras 53-29. Clayton State limited Rio-Piedras to only 24 percent shooting from the field for the game.

Amanda Nunez paced Rio Piedras with 11 points.

Clayton State concludes its weekend swing in Puerto Rico on Sunday with a 1 p.m. match-up against Puerto Rico-Bayamon.