Columbus, GA – Behind a career high 34 points from the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Drameka Griggs, the #1 ranked Clayton State women's basketball advanced to the 2013 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championships, defeating rival USC Aiken 75-62 Saturday in the semifinals.
The undefeated (28-0) and top-seeded Lakers will host North Georgia in the Championships at 2 p.m. Sunday at Columbus State's Frank G. Lumpkin Center. The Saints, the 4th seed from Clayton State's West Division, advanced to the finals after defeating Flagler in Saturday's semifinals.
The Lakers defeated North Georgia twice this season, winning 86-65 at home and 88-56 on the road. Clayton State will be looking for its fourth Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship after capturing titles in 2005, 2007 and 2010. The Lakers lost in last year's championship game to USC Aiken.
Griggs, a senior from Ellenwood, GA, poured in 19 of her 34 points in the first half Saturday, as the Lakers took a 39-24 advantage at halftime. The Lakers went on a 13-2 run over the final four minutes of the period to take the 15-point lead at intermission.
In the second half, the Lakers led by 13 points, 55-42, with 10:06 remaining before USC Aiken came roaring back. The Pacers went on an 8-0 run capped by two free throws by Porsha Martin to cut the Laker lead to 55-50 with 6:37 left to play.
After both teams exchanged baskets, the Lakers had a quick 5-0 spurt to extend its lead back to double-digits with 3:30 left. A steal and layup by Griggs gave the squad a 63-53 lead.
The Pacers answered though with three free throws to trim the Laker lead to 63-56 with 2:56 left, aided by a Laker technical foul but would come no closer. The Lakers rattled off four straight points over the next 30 seconds and led by at least nine points in the final two minutes.
"We knew today was going to be a battle," said head coach Dennis Cox. "They have a tremendous program and every time we play it's a great game. Both teams have such a contrast in style of play that it makes for an interesting game within the game. I give them credit for fighting us until the end, and we were fortunate to win."
Griggs' 34 points came three points shy of the PBC Tournament single game record of 37 points set in 1997. Her point total in today's game also gives her 559 points this season, breaking Clayton State's single season mark of 547 set by All-American Teshymia Tillman.
Behind Griggs, All-Peach Belt center Shacamra Jackson finished with 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Forward Jessica Covington led the team on the boards with nine rebounds.
Martin led USC Aiken with 18 points, followed by Brittany Hill with 13 points, draining 9-of-10 from the free throw stripe. All-Peach Belt guard Daniela Tarailo added 12 points and pulled seven rebounds.
