Americus, GA – The 4th-ranked Clayton State Lakers have been off for almost two weeks, and they returned to action on Saturday without missing a beat.
Clayton State opened its Peach Belt Conference schedule in Americus, GA, storming past the Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern 73-51 in women's basketball action.
With the game tied at eight apiece with 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Clayton State exploded on a 22-3 run over the next eight minutes to take control of the contest.
Guard Arkia Armstrong ignited the run with a basket at the 13:51 mark and also had a 3-pointer and a couple of free throws in the game-deciding stretch. Center Shacamra Jackson capped the run with two free throws with 6:57 remaining in the half.
The Lakers led 32-17 with 3:47 remaining and went on an 8-0 over a two-minute stretch to push their lead to 25 points with 1:39 remaining in the period. Clayton State point guard Drameka Griggs had six of the eight points in the run.
Georgia Southwestern's Jasmine McSwain closed the half with a basket in the final seconds to cut the Laker lead to 23 points, 40-17 at intermission.
"I thought we played real hard for a half, but I think with the lopsided score at halftime we lost some of our focus," said head coach Dennis Cox. "I give Georgia Southwestern a ton of credit though. They took it to us in the second half and never let up. We were fortunate to get a tough road win in the conference today."
In the second half, the Lakers led by as many as 29 points, 63-24, with 10:19 remaining on a basket in the paint by Jackson. Clayton State led by more than 20 points for most of the second half in the victory.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in the Peach Belt Conference. Clayton State will return to action on Monday, December 17th, hosting Columbus State in conference action. The game starts at 5:30 p.m.
The Lakers had five players in double-digits with Griggs leading the way with 16 points. Jackson finished with 15 points and eight rebounds, followed by guard Kayla Pryce with 12 points. Center Shannon Smith had a "double-double" with 10 points and 10 rebounds in her first game of the season. Armstrong also chipped in 10 points.
The Clayton State defense shined in the contest, holding the Hurricanes to 27 percent (15-of-55) from the field.
McSwain and Shaniece Sheffield led Georgia Southwestern with 14 points apiece.
