Montevallo, AL – The 3rd-ranked Clayton State women's basketball team kept its unbeaten streak alive at 24 Saturday, downing Montevallo 75-61 in Peach Belt Conference basketball action.
The Lakers jumped out to a big lead in the first half Saturday and maintained a comfortable advantage throughout the second half for the victory. The Lakers took an 11-point lead, 16-5, at the 11:37 mark on a basket in the paint by forward Kayla Mobley.
Clayton State went on a 20-8 run over the next seven minutes, pushing its lead to 23 points, 36-13, with 4:11 remaining. Guard Keona Dixon capped the run on a layup after a steal by center Shannon Smith.
Montevallo cut the Laker lead back to 13 points over the next two minutes, but Clayton State re-extended its lead to 17 points at intermission with a layup by Dixon at the buzzer.
In the second half, Montevallo made an early run, cutting the Laker lead to 10 points, 53-43, with 10:27 remaining in the contest but would no closer. Clayton State went on a quick 6-0 spurt to re-extend its lead 16 points. The Lakers drained six straight free throws in the mini-run, four by guard Drameka Griggs and two by Smith.
Montevallo came back one final time, cutting the Laker lead to 13 points with five minutes remaining but Dixon answered on the ensuing possession with a 3-pointer to give the squad a 66-50 advantage. The Lakers pushed their lead back to 20 points in the final two minutes on a free throw by forward Jessica Covington.
"I'm proud of the way we hung in there in a real physical game," said head coach Dennis Cox. "I give Montevallo a lot of credit. They played us tough all the way till the end."
All-American hopeful Drameka Griggs once again led the Lakers pouring in 27 points, hitting 7-of-14 from the field and 1-of-2 from 3-point territory. Griggs, the PBC leader in free throw percentage, hit 12-of-15 from the line.
Dixon finished with 22 points, hitting 8-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
"Emotionally, I think we were affected by Kayla Mobley collapsing on the floor," said head coach Dennis Cox. "Kayla was dehydrated. Keeping things in perspective, it was great to win, but we are really, really happy Kayla is okay when it first appeared more serious."
For Montevallo, Taylor Beverly finished with 22 points, followed by Jacquelyn Thompson with 10 points.
With the win, Clayton State improves to 24-0 overall and 17-0 in the league. Montevallo drops to 15-11 overall and 10-7 in the conference. Clayton State will return to action next Saturday, hosting Georgia Southwestern for Senior Day.
