Morrow, GA – The Clayton State scoring duo of Shacamra Jackson and Yishica Sims struck again Friday for the Lakers scoring 23 and 20 points, respectively to lead the 7th-ranked squad to a 64-54 win over Southern Poly in the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic at the Athletics Center.
Leading 48-44 with 6:26 remaining in the game, Clayton State used a 12-3 run over the next three minutes to take control of the contest. Sims ignited the game-deciding stretch with a 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 51-44 advantage with 6:09 left and then gave the team a 10-point advantage, 55-45, with 5:05 left on a basket in transition.
After two free throws by Southern Poly's Alexandria Prince, Jackson came back with a basket in the paint before a 3-point play by Sims pushed the Laker lead to 13-points with 3:16 remaining.
Southern Poly cut the deficit to nine points, 62-53, with 1:26 remaining but would come no closer. Jackson drained two free throws in the final minute to seal the 10-point victory.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 7-1 on the season, while Southern Poly drops to 6-3. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday in Heritage Bank Holiday Classic, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears defeated Lander 75-54 in the first game of the Classic on Friday.
The first game on Saturday of the Heritage Bank Classic will feature Southern Poly and Lander, tipping off at 1:30 p.m., followed by the Lakers and Lenoir-Rhyne at 3:30 p.m.
Southern Poly led early in Friday's contest and took an 11-4 advantage eight minutes into play. The Lakers battled back and took their first lead, 19-18, on a jumper by guard Kayla Pryce with 4:21 remaining in half. Sophomore guard Tweety Hawkins closed the half with a jumper to give the Lakers a 28-20 lead at intermission.
Along with her 23 points, Jackson also finished with seven rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Sims finished with nine rebounds to go along with 20 points. Hawkins chipped in seven points for the team.
For Southern Poly, guard Sarah Ogoke finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, followed by forward Erica Turner with 13 points and 10 boards.
Clayton State's patented defense held the Hornets to 29 percent (14-of-48) shooting from the field and forced 27 turnovers. The Lakers scored 24 points off turnovers and shot 37 percent (25-of-67) from the field. Southern Poly won the battle on the boards, outrebounding the Lakers 45-37. The Lakers outscored the Hornets 34-20 in the paint and 33-6 off the bench.
