No. 1-ranked Clayton State women roll past CSU Alumni 99-55

MORROW, Ga. – November 2, 2011 – As her Clayton State teammates strived towards the NCAA Division II National Championship last season, Keona Dixon was a big cheerleader as she took a developmental redshirt.

On Wednesday night, she showed what she could do this season to help the Lakers.

Dixon made an impressive long-awaited Clayton State debut with 19 points as No. 1-ranked Clayton State rolled past the Clayton State basketball alumni 99-55 at the Athletics and Fitness Center. The victory was a tune-up for the Lakers as they prepare for Saturday's much-anticipated preseason exhibition at Vanderbilt.

Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox specifically signed Dixon out of the Florida junior college ranks for her perimeter shooting. After all, she led the nation in 3-point field goal percentage during her sophomore season at Indian River State. She paced the Lakers with three 3-point baskets, but also contributed five assists and five steals.

Dixon paced four Lakers in double-figures. Junior point guard Drameka Griggs scored 17 points off the bench with three assists and three steals, while senior Tanisha Woodard scored 15 points with a whopping 10 steals. Junior forward Kayla Mobley scored 13 points for Clayton State, while senior guard Brittany Hall added nine points.

For the game, Clayton State shot 47 percent from the field, including 52 percent in the first half as the Lakers built a 57-27 lead at halftime. Defensively, Clayton State forced the CSU Alumni into 43 turnovers and held them to only 35 percent shooting from the field.

Former All-Peach Belt Conference forward Shantel Ragin paced the CSU Alumni with 16 points. Three members of last season's national championship team – Breanna Fort, Latonda Bruce and Renee Jackson – each added 10 points.

Tip-off time for the Lakers' exhibition game at Vanderbilt is 2 p.m. CST on Saturday.