Full Game Video

MORROW, Ga. – Junior forward Alfonso Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) tied the program record for rebounds in a single game but Clayton State (8-6, 3-4 PBC) could not stop Georgia College (12-4, 5-2 PBC) in the final seconds as they fell 77-75 in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Wednesday, January 13.
 
Davis posted a career-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting and ripped down 19 boards to go along with his four assists, three blocks and two steals. The 19 rebounds equals the mark set by Sherod Flono against Limestone on February 19, 1997 and Keith Herring vs. Brewton-Parker on January 11, 1992. Davis' 19 rebounds is the most in the NCAA era with both Herring and Flono's coming during the NAIA years. His 17 defensive boards also surpasses Flono's program record 15 vs. Limestone.
 
Senior forward Takija Knight (Crawfordville, Fla.) added 15 points and nine rebounds while sophomore guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) had eight points, nine assists and four steals. Sophomore guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) chipped in with 16 points to round out the top performers.
 
The Lakers delivered an absolute clinic over the first 10:09 as they exploded for a 27-9 lead and set the tone. During that stretch Davis nearly had a double-double as he produced 10 points and seven boards while Powell dished out five of his nine assist.
 
Georgia College would not be deterred, however, as they clawed their way back over the remaining 9:51, using a 28-13 stretch to cut the deficit to 40-36 at the break. In the first half alone, Davis notched a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Powell had seven assists.
 
At the start of the second half, GC got within two on a three-pointer before inciting six lead changes over the next 4:35. That flurry would end with Clayton State holding a 49-48 advantage that they would extend to 52-48 by the 13:48 mark.
 
It would be a constant tug-o-war in the ensuing minutes as the Lakers pushed out to a six point lead before the Bobcats pulled back the other way, eventually getting to within 63-62 at 7:49. At that point, they used a 5-0 burst to take a 67-63 lead but it was Clayton State's turn to come back, tying the game at 71-71 with 4:35 left.   
 
Less than a minute later GC retook the lead on a Dwight Anderson layup but a conventional three-point play by Powell put the Lakers back ahead 74-73 with 1:14 to remaining. Terrell Harris answered back for the Bobcats with a bucket of his own before Knight tied it at 75-75 by hitting one of two free throws at the 55 second mark.
 
At the other end Harris would misfire on a jumper but the Lakers could not capitalize on the other end with Rio McMillian corralling the rebound with 22 seconds left. Following a timeout, GC ran down the clock and put the ball in the hands of their most capable scorer, Harris. As the clock ticked down to zeros, Harris lofted a fall away jumper from just inside the three-point arc along the right side, sinking it for the 77-75 victory as time expired.
 
Harris led the way for Georgia College with a game-high tying 28 points on 12-of-18 shooting, along with six rebounds and five assists while Isaac Thomas finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Anderson and McMillian chipped in with 11 and nine points respectively.
 
The Lakers are back in action as they head to Flagler on Saturday, January 16. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's game.
 
NOTES
The 28 points by Davis represented a career-high, as did the 19 rebounds … he was two points and one rebound away from becoming the first Laker to produce a 30-point, 20-rebound game … Sherod Flono grabbed his 19 rebounds in Clayton State's final year of NCAA transition in 1996-97 while Herring's came in the second year of the program's existence.