Dahlonega, GA – The 19th-ranked Clayton State women's basketball team fell 93-81 on the road Saturday to Peach Belt Conference rival North Georgia at Memorial Hall in Dahlonega, GA.
The Lakers made a late run in the second half, cutting the deficit to two points, 66-64, with 7:50 remaining in the game on a basket by center Andrea Benford and again to 68-66 on another basket by Benford but would come no closer.
Trailing by five points with just under three minutes remaining, North Georgia went on an 8-2 run over a two-minute stretch to seal the victory. Two free throws by guard Cierra Jackson with a minute left gave the Nighthawks a 12-point advantage, 91-79.
North Georgia forward Mimi Hill led the Nighthawks pouring in 36 points to go along with eight boards in the game. She hit 11-of-17 from the field, 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 10-of-10 from the free throw line.
With the loss, Clayton State drops to 8-5 overall and 3-3 in the Peach Belt, while North Georgia improves to 11-1 and 5-0 in the league. Clayton State had won 13 in a row over the Nighthawks before Saturday's loss. The Lakers will return to action on Wednesday, hosting USC Aiken in a 5:30 p.m. game at the Athletics Center.
After opening the game with a basket by guard Tweety Hawkins, the Lakers trailed the remainder of the period. North Georgia took a 10-point advantage 31-21 on a basket by guard Stephanie Huffman with 8:24 remaining. The Nighthawks maintained their double-digit lead for the rest of the half and led 51-35 at intermission.
In the second half, the Lakers cut the deficit six points on a basket by Benford with 13:17 remaining only to have the Nighthawks re-extend their lead. Clayton State responded again midway through the half, cutting the lead to four points, 66-62, on a 3-pointer by forward Yishica Sims and then to two points on baskets by Benford.
For Clayton State, Sims led the attack with 24 points and four rebounds, followed by Benford with 16 points and six rebounds. Forward Shacamra Jackson added 14 points and three rebounds.
Behind Hill's herculean effort, forward Keely Chester added 20 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Huffman with 19 points and nine boards.
Clayton State shot 41 percent (31-of-76) from the floor compared to 54 percent (26-of-48) for North Georgia. The Nighthawks held a decisive advantage at the free throw line, hitting 34-of-38, compared to only 11-of-19 for the Lakers.
North Georgia won the battle on the boards 40-34, and Clayton State committed 13 turnovers compared to 19 for the Nighthawks.
