MORROW, GA – The 4th-ranked Clayton State women's basketball team kept its undefeated streak alive Monday, besting one of its fiercest rivals at the Athletics & Fitness Center.
The Lakers defeated Columbus State 66-47 at Mason Barfield Court, improving its record to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in Peach Belt Conference play.
"I am so proud of the way the team defended tonight," said head coach Dennis Cox. "It was a tough turnaround for us, with the game on Saturday and very little time to prepare - what with Sunday being our day that we take off for rest and family. I thought we played with a lot of heart and desire tonight, and I was especially proud of the way we rebounded the basketball,"
Clayton State point guard and All-PBC performer Drameka Griggs shined once again, pouring 22 points, hitting 7-of-15 shots. She also had six steals, dished out five assists and had six rebounds.
"Kayla (Mobley) and Bena (Hanyard) flirted with double-doubles and Shay Shay (Shacamra Jackson) was real strong defensively with nine boards and four blocks," said Cox. "Kayla (Pryce) made big shots in the second half and guarded their best player most of the game, but MeMe (Drameka) Griggs was the catalyst once again. She was in attack mode all night, and that's when we are at our best."
The Lakers led from the opening tip and raced out to a 9-0 lead after a steal and layup by Griggs with 14:32 remaining. The Cougars answered with a run of their own and cut the deficit to three points, 13-10, on a basket by guard Taren White. Clayton State came back and pushed its lead to 14 points with a basket by center Shannon Smith and led by 10 points at the half 26-16.
In the second half, guard Pryce drained a 3-pointer with 17:09 remaining to give the Lakers a 16-point lead, 33-17. Columbus State battled back and cut the deficit 10 points with a jumper by guard Marina DeFoor with 7:30 remaining but that was a close as Columbus would come.
Griggs gave the Lakers a 53-36 lead with 5:10 left on the second of two free throws. The squad led by at least 13 points down the stretch. A layup by guard Hanyard gave the team its largest lead of 21 points, 66-45.
The Clayton State defense, which ranks second in the nation in scoring defense, held the Cougars to 46 points for the night on 26 percent (14-of-53) shooting from the floor. The Lakers also controlled the boards, outrebounding the Cougars 50-34.
Behind Griggs' 22 points, center Mobley had 13 points and nine boards, while Hanyard had 12 points and nine rebounds.
For Columbus State, Kayla Richards had 14 points to lead the Cougars. Asha Alexander pulled a game-high 11 rebounds.
Clayton State will return to action later this month in the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic on Saturday, December 29th and Sunday, December 30th. The Lakers will play Benedict on Saturday, followed by Barton in the two-day event.
