Morrow, GA – Clayton State women's basketball player Shacamra Jackson had a Senior Day to remember Saturday, leading the Lakers to an outright Peach Belt Conference regular season championship at the Athletics Center.
Jackson accomplished a feat only a handful of Laker players, women or men, have achieved in the 24 years of Clayton State basketball, recording in a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and a single-game record 10 blocks in an 86-75 victory over rival Columbus State.
The victory secured the 2014 Peach Belt Conference Championship outright for the Lakers and the top seed in next week's PBC Tournament Championships in Columbus, GA.
"It was great to see Shay (Jackson) have that kind of game on Senior Day," said head coach Dennis Cox. "She never ceases to amaze me. She has meant so much to our program over the last four years. It will be sad to see her go. Tweety (Hawkins) really stepped up for us tonight as well, and Bena (Hanyard) finished with confidence down the stretch that helped seal the win. It was hard fought, and we know we were fortunate to get it done against an excellent Columbus team."
In addition to Jackson's triple-double and single game record for blocked shots, she also set the school's single season record for blocks with 95 on the year.
With the win, the Lakers improve to 21-5 on the season and 16-3 in the conference. Columbus State drops to 18-7 and 13-6 in the league. The Lakers will be the No. 1 seed in next week's PBC Tournament and play the league's No. 4 seed from the East on Thursday in Columbus.
The game was tight in the final five minutes of the contest, as the Lakers led by only a single point, 69-68, after a jumper by Columbus' Tae Smith with 5:21 remaining. Clayton State then pushed its lead eight points, thanks to a 9-2 spurt. A jumper by guard Tweety Hawkins capped the run and gave the Lakers a 78-70 lead with 1:18 lead.
Columbus State made one final push with a 3-pointer by Smith with 47 seconds remaining to the cut the deficit to five points, 80-75, but would come no closer. Guard Bena Hanyard and Hawkins went a perfect 4-of-4 in the final 42 seconds from the free throw line to seal the victory.
Along with Jackson's record-setting game, Hawkins had a career night scoring a team-high 25 points, which included 9-of-14 shooting from the floor and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
Clayton State led 44-35 at intermission and pushed its lead to 12 points, 54-42, at the 15:19 mark with a layup by center Andrea Benford. After both teams swapped baskets over the next five minutes, a basket by Columbus' Asha Alexander cut Laker lead to single digits, 62-54. The margin remained under 10 until Clayton State's late game-winning stretch.
Behind Hawkins and Jackson, Hanyard finished with 16 points, which included 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Benford chipped in 13 points and grabbed seven boards.
For Columbus State, Smith finished with a game-high 32 points, followed by Alexander with 10 points. Center Carrie Washington had seven points and 13 boards.
Clayton State dominated the paint, outscoring the Cougars 50-28 inside and held a 33-10 advantage in scoring off the bench. The Lakers shot 49 percent (32-of-65) from the floor and held the Cougars to 40 percent (30-of-76). Columbus State held a 46-35 edge on the boards but committed 19 turnovers compared to 15 for Clayton State.
