Clayton State set to open home schedule in Loch Shop Classic Saturday and Sunday

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

MORROW, GA  – The 5th-ranked and undefeated Clayton State women's basketball is set to tip-off its 2012-13 home schedule this weekend, hosting two opponents in the Loch Shop Classic.

The Classic will feature Clayton State, Peach Belt Conference (PBC) member North Georgia and NCAA Division II Southeast Regional opponent Lenoir-Rhyne and Chowan. Clayton State will play Chowan on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Lenoir-Rhyne on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in the two-day event. North Georgia will square off in the first game of the Classic on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Lenoir-Rhyne and face Chowan on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Clayton State will enter the Classic with a 3-0 mark with a trio of impressive road victories to open the season. The Lakers opened the season in the Union University Lady Bulldog Classic with a 68-51 victory over Delta State, followed by beating host Union 66-44. Clayton State also defeated Newberry 66-60 on Tuesday.

The Lakers have been led by veteran guard Drameka Griggs, averaging 20 points per contest. An All-PBC preseason selection, she has led the team in scoring in all three games and ranks fourth in the conference in scoring.  Clayton State also has guard Bena Hanyard and center Shacamra Jackson averaging in double digits at 13 points per contest and 11 points per game, respectively. Jackson ranks in the PBC's top-10 in rebounding averaging seven boards per contest, which in the PBC's top 10.

Clayton State's meeting with Chowan on Saturday will be third meeting all-time with the Lakers leading in the all-time series 2-0. The Lakers defeated the Hawks 87-45 last year. Sunday's game against Lenoir-Rhyne will be the seventh matchup between the two clubs with the Lakers holding a 4-2 advantage. Clayton State defeated the Bears 71-40 in the last meeting during Clayton State's 2010-11 NCAA Division II National Championship run.

Chowan, located in Murfreesboro, NC, enters the Classic with a 0-4 record and is coming off a 46-41 loss to Johnson C. Smith on Tuesday. The Hawks compete out of Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Guard Janelle Murphy has led Chowan in scoring in every game this season and is averaging 17 points per contest.

 The Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne have a 3-1 record on the season and after dropping its first game of the year to Limestone have won three straight. The squad is coming off a 68-60 win over Winston-Salem State on Tuesday. Guard Jazmine Charles leads the Bears, averaging 15 points per contest, followed by guard Jordan Hiatt at 11 points per game.  

PBC opponent North Georgia enters the Classic with a 2-3 record on the year and is coming off a 73-45 loss to Eckerd on Saturday. The Saints feature the 2011-12 NCAA Division II National Player-of-the-Year in junior forward Jaymee Carnes. She leads the Saints averaging 22 points and eight rebounds per game, followed by Stephanie Huffman at 11 points per contest.

LOCH SHOP CLASSIC

The Loch Shop, Clayton State's bookstore and official destination for Laker gear, is the sponsor the two-day tournament and will have some activities in conjunction with Saturday's games.

With Friday being the birthday of Clayton State mascot "Loch," there will some special birthday celebration events, including a including a promotional half-court shot. One lucky Clayton State student will have a chance to win a $500 gift card to the Loch Shop. Students will need to show their Laker Card to be eligible for a raffle ticket. The Loch Shop will also be on hand at the game with merchandise available.

Admission is $5 for adults and children 10-under are free. Clayton State faculty, staff and students are admitted free along with a guest with their Laker ID.