Pembroke, NC – The Clayton State women's basketball has won a lot of games over the last several years thanks to its patented defense, and on Saturday, the Lakers turned in one of their best defensive efforts of the year.
The Lakers cruised to a 73-40 Peach Belt Conference road victory over UNC Pembroke at the English E. Jones Center in Pembroke, NC. The win improves Clayton State to 10-5 on the season.
Clayton State held the Braves to 28 percent shooting from the floor (14-of-51), which was the lowest of any opponent this season. The Lakers allowed only 17 points in the first 20 minutes of the game which matched the Clayton State's best defensive effort for a half this year. Clayton State forced UNC Pembroke into 20 turnovers and scored 24 points off those turnovers.
"It was nice to get a win on the road at a place that has given us trouble in the past," said head coach Dennis Cox. "We were short-handed, but our kids really played their roles today and played together. It was a good team win today."
Leading only 13-10 with 8:24 remaining in the first half, the Lakers closed the half with a monster run to take control of the game. Clayton State outscored the Braves 25-7 over the span and took a 21-point advantage, 38-17, at intermission.
A free throw by forward Shacamra Jackson gave the Lakers a 22-12 lead with 4:27 left in the first half. The Lakers pushed their lead to 15 points, 29-14, on a basket by center Andrea Benford with 2:08 remaining. Over the final two minutes of the half, Clayton State outscored the Braves 9-3 and a 3-pointer by Jackson gave the squad a 22-point lead, 36-14.
In the second half, the Lakers pushed their lead to 30 points, 52-22, with a tip-in by guard Tweety Hawkins with 11:32 remaining. Clayton State took their biggest lead of the game 63-29 on a jumper by Benford with 5:51 remaining, taking a 34-point advantage.
The win improves Clayton State to 5-3 in the Peach Belt Conference, while UNC Pembroke falls to 6-9 overall and 2-6 in the league. The Lakers will continue PBC action playing at Francis Marion in Florence, SC, on Monday in a 5:30 p.m. game.
Jackson led the Lakers with 19 points, six rebounds and three steals in the game. Guard Kayla Pryce scored a season-high 14 points and had a four assists and four steals. Benford chipped in 11 points and six rebounds, while forward Kiana Morton added eight points and pulled a team-high 10 rebounds.
Forward Kierra Haney led UNC Pembroke with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Clayton State shot 42 percent (29-69) from the floor and hit 10-of-29 from 3-point territory. The Lakers held a 43-36 advantage on the boards and committed only eight turnovers in the game. Clayton State controlled the inside outscoring the Braves 32-14 in the paint.
