Full Game Video I Postgame Interview
2015 Heritage Bank Classic Tournament Page

MORROW, Ga. – Facing a team that handed them an unexpected loss in last season's Heritage Bank Classic, it was Clayton State's (5-1, 0-0 PBC) turn as they handed Chowan (3-4, 0-0 CIAA) a 77-50 defeat in an NCAA women's basketball game on Friday, December 4.
 
Redshirt-junior center Andrea Benford (Madison, Ga.) was dominant in all facets of the game as she delivered 13 points, four blocks, four steals and three assists in 26 minutes of action. She was joined by senior center DaQuenna Moore (Plantersville, Ga.) with 10 points and seven boards as well as 15 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals from senior guard Kayla Pryce (Melbourne, Fla.).
 
Redshirt-junior guard Tweety Hawkins (Madison, Ga.) added 12 points, four boards and a game-high five steals while senior guard Kenisha Jones-Barrett (Winter Haven, Fla.) delivered a well-rounded four points, five assists, four steals and four rebounds. Redshirt-junior guard Tierra Johnson (Edison, N.J.) chipped in with 11 points and four caroms to close out the top performers.
 
After the first six minutes yielded just six points for each team, Clayton State would explode for a 26-7 run over the next 9:07 to take a commanding 32-13 lead by the 4:52 mark of the second quarter. The Hawks would not go away, however, as they rebounded with an 11-4 run to close the first half and narrow the gap to 36-24 at the break.
 
They would continue to cut into the lead at the start of the second half, getting to within 38-31 by the 7:47 mark. That would be all they would do though. Over the rest of the quarter it would be all Lakers as they put together an impressive 23-5 run to blow the game open at 61-36. That would set the tone for the rest of the game as Clayton State coasted to the 77-50 victory.
 
Alisha Mobley led the way for the Hawks with a team-high 10 points and four steals while Danielle Weldon finished with nine points, six boards and three assists. Jordan Payne added six points and four rebounds.
 
As a team, Clayton State shot almost 52-percent from the field while holding Chowan to just over 26-percent shooting. They also came away with 23 steals compared to 10 for the Hawks and won the rebounding battle 50-39.
 
The Lakers return to action tomorrow, Saturday, December 5, when they host Livingstone in the finale of the 2015 Heritage Bank Classic. That game is slated for approximately 3:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the neutral site game between Chowan and No. 15 Armstrong State at 1:30 p.m.
 
NOTES
In the 2014 Heritage Bank Classic, Chowan defeated Clayton State 89-73 … in their return to the tournament this year, they managed just 50 points, making them the third team this season that the Lakers have held under 60 points ... No. 15 Armstrong State defeated Livingstone 102-65.