Redshirt-junior forward Andrea Benford (Madison, Ga.) delivered an impressive week against two of the top teams in the Peach Belt Conference, including one that was ranked No. 15 in the nation. In those two games she averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.0 steals and 0.5 assists. That was in addition to a .586 shooting percentage (17-of-29), all of which came in an average of 26.5 minutes.
Benford opened the week facing a high-scoring Lander (12/17) squad and was instrumental in the Lakers 82-61 victory over the 7-2 squad that had been averaging better than 89 points per game. In that game she scored 16 points and hauled in 13 boards, four on the offensive glass, along with blocking five shots and notching a steal in 27 minutes of action. She also shot .533 from the field (8-of-15).
It would be an even tougher challenge awaiting Clayton State in their 2015 finale as they hosted No. 15 Francis Marion (12/19). Benford was more than equal to the task as she posted 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting (.643) and grabbed five boards to go along with an assist and steal in 26 minutes. That performance helped lead Clayton State to a 73-61 victory, ending FMU's undefeated season and moving the Lakers to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in the PBC.
On the season Benford is averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in just over 20 minutes per game.
