Greenwood, SC – The 3rd-ranked and undefeated Clayton State women's basketball team captured its 20th win of the season Saturday, rolling over Peach Belt Conference rival Lander 88-54 in Greenwood, SC.
The Lakers took control of the game in the final minutes of the first half and was never threatened in the second period. Leading 32-25 with 4:16 remaining in the opening half, Clayton State clamped down defensively and held the Bearcats scoreless for the remaining minutes of the half.
Clayton State scored 14 points during the game-deciding stretch, and the 14-0 run was ignited with a basket by guard Bena Hanyard, followed by two plays from Laker guard Drameka Griggs. She drained 3-pointer, followed by a fast-break hoop on the ensuing play to give the team a 14-point lead.
After a turnover by Lander, center Shacamra Jackson gave the team a 41-25 lead with 2:09 remaining until half. Clayton State extended its lead even further a minute later as center Kayla Mobley scored off another Lander turnover.
Griggs, who finished the game with a game-high 23 points, including 19 points in the first half, capped the run with a half-court 3-point shot at the buzzer. The Lakers led 46-25 at intermission.
In the second half, Clayton Sate opened right where it left off as guard Kayla Pryce drilled a jumper on the team's opening possession. The Lakers led by at least 21 points for the remainder of the game. A basket by forward Auburn Randolph with 2:03 remaining gave the squad its largest lead, a 35-point advantage at 84-49.
"We got great leadership today from our seniors (Drameka) Griggs and (Kayla) Mobley," said head coach Dennis Cox. "When those two play the way they did today, we will win a lot of games. There is a lot of history between us and Lander - it's a great rivalry - they are total class. It was a great road win in the league."
With the win, the Lakers improve to 20-0 on the year and 13-0 in conference play. Lander drops to 7-11 on the year and 4-7 in Peach Belt Conference play. Clayton State will return to action on Thursday to face 24th-ranked Augusta State in Augusta, GA.
Griggs scored her 23 points, hitting 8-of-14 from the floor, 3-of-4 from 3-point land and 4-ofof-4 from the free throw stripe. She also had four rebounds and five assists. Mobley finished with 14 points and nine rebounds, followed by Pryce with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals. Hanyard also had nine rebounds to go along with seven points and four assists.
For Lander, Aarika Judge finished with 22 points, followed Briana Wade with 14 and Precious Elkins with 13.
Clayton State had a decisive edge on the boards in the game, outrebounding the Bearcats 53-30, including 24-9 on the offensive boards. The Lakers also forced Lander into 24 turnovers, while committing 15.
