Americus, GA – The Clayton State women's basketball won its 11th straight Peach Belt Conference game Saturday, and thanks to a little help from Columbus State took over sole possession of first place in the conference.
The Lakers defeated Georgia Southwestern 76-65 Saturday and coupled with a Columbus State victory over Young Harris today, Clayton State sits atop the regular season standings with a 14-3 PBC record. The Lakers have two more conference games remaining and hold a one-game lead in the loss column over North Georgia, Columbus State and Young Harris.
Clayton State, 19-5 overall, will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to face Young Harris before returning home for Senior Day, hosting Columbus State on Saturday March 1st.
Against Georgia Southwestern, the Lakers featured a balanced attack with four players in double-digits. Senior guard Bena Hanyard led the way with 17 points. She once again came through at the free throw line, hitting 9-of-10 from the charity stripe. Over the last four games, she has drained 34-of-38 free throws.
The Lakers led 29-27 at halftime only to have Georgia Southwestern open the second half on a roll. The Hurricanes opened the period on an 11-4 run and took a 38-33 advantage on the second of two straight 3-pointers by Shaniece Sheffield.
Clayton State battled back though and retook the lead with a 9-2 run capped by a basket from Hanyard, giving the Lakers a 42-40 advantage with 13:31 left. The Lakers didn't trail again and pushed their lead to double-digits, 60-49, on two free throws by post Shacamra Jackson with 5:54 remaining.
Georgia Southwestern cut the Laker lead to five points on a 3-pointer by Shatoria Hudson with 1:56 left but would come no closer. Hanyard went 8-of-8 from the free throw line down the stretch to seal the victory.
Behind Hanyard, Jackson added 16 points and 11 rebounds, recording her seventh double-double of the season. Center Andrea Benford finished 12 points and seven rebounds, followed by guard Tiayra Green chipping in 11 points.
For Georgia Southwestern, Tiara Thompson led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds, followed by Hudson with 12 points and nine boards. Jasmine McSwain added 11 points and Shanedra Lockett chipped in 10 points.
Clayton State hit 48 percent (27-of-56) from the floor, while the Lakers held the Hurricanes to only 34 percent (28-of-73) from the field. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, as the Lakers hit 19-of-26, while Georgia Southwestern made 9-of-13.
