Morrow, GA – The 7th-ranked Clayton State women's basketball team dropped a close one Saturday, falling to region rival Lenoir-Rhyne 73-66 in the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic at the Athletics Center.
After a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Kayla Pryce tied the game at 57 apiece with 5:59 remaining, the Bears went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take control of the game.
Lenior-Rhyne went 8-for-8 from the free throw line during the game-deciding stretch to seal the victory. Two free throws by guard Krystal Patton gave the Bears a nine-point lead, 70-61, with 1:48 left.
A 3-pointer by Laker guard Tiayra Green with 28 seconds left cut the Bear lead to six points, 72-60, but that was as close as Clayton State would come. The loss is only the second time the Lakers have fallen at the Athletics Center in the last 41 home games. The loss also snaps a 19-game winning streak in the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic, dating back to 2003.
Trailing 36-32 at halftime, the Lakers battled back and took a 48-43 advantage at the 12:09 mark on a basket in the paint by forward Shacamra Jackson. The Bears answered though and reclaimed the lead in the three minutes. Lenior-Rhyne took the lead for good, 52-50, at the 9:26 mark on a jumper by guard Jenni Gust.
The game featured three lead changes and was tied on six different occasions. Neither team led by more than nine points, as the Bears' largest advantage was nine the Lakers' six.
With the loss, Clayton State drops to 7-2 on the season, while Lenoir-Rhyne improves to 7-3. Clayton State will take off for the holidays before returning to Peach Belt Conference action on Thursday, January 2nd, facing Armstrong. The game will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. in Savannah, GA.
Laker guard Bena Hanyard led the attack with 15 points, five rebounds and four steals. Center Andrea Benford finished with 12 points and four boards, followed by Jackson with 10 points, three rebounds and two blocks. Forward Yishica Sims finished with seven points and 12 rebounds.
For Lenoir-Rhyne, guard Jazmine Charles led the way 18 and seven rebounds, followed guard Jordan Hiatt with 17 points and five boards. Forward Ashia Mitchell chipped in 11 points. Charles, Hiatt and Mitchell all came off the bench in the game and gave the Bears a 51-20 scoring advantage off the bench.
Clayton State shot 43 percent (25-of-58) from the floor compared to only 36 percent (21-of-58) for Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears hit 27-of-37 from the free throw line compared to only 12-of-15 for the Lakers.
Lenoir-Rhyne won the battle on the boards 44-32, and Clayton State committed 19 turnovers compared to 17 for the Bears.
