Full Game Video I Georgia's Own Postgame Interview
 
MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (7-4, 2-2 PBC) battled defending Peach Belt Conference champion and NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 participant Montevallo (7-4, 3-1 PBC) tooth and nail before pulling out the 72-67 victory in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Monday, January 4.
 
Sophomore guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) finished with 15 points, three assists and three steals and junior forward Alfonso Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) had 14 points, six boards and a whopping five blocks in 25 minutes of action.
 
They were joined in double-figures by senior guard Saiquan Terry (Manchester, Ga.) with 12 points and senior forward Takija Knight (Crawfordville, Fla.) with 10 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks. Sophomore guard Kendall Joseph (Snellville, Ga.) added nine points, five rebounds and two steals and sophomore guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) finished with six points, three rebounds and a game-high five assists.
 
The Lakers jumped out to the early 7-2 lead over the first 4:10 before UM responded with five straight points to tie it at 7-7 by the 13:39 mark. Over the next six minutes, the Falcons would put together a 13-5 run that would give them a 20-12 advantage.
 
Clayton State would come right back with an 8-3 run to cut it to 23-21 with 4:48 on the clock before Montevallo delivered an 8-0 run of their own to make it 31-21 little more than a minute later. In what quickly became a game of runs, it would be the Lakers that would answer with a 10-0 burst, from five different scorers, to close the half and knot the score at 31-31 heading into the break.
 
The teams would continue to remain close as they were separated by no more than three points and went through six lead changes over the first 11:01 of the second half before Clayton State pulled ahead 50-48. That lead would increase marginally to 52-48 in the next couple of minutes before UM surged back to tie the score at 54-54 with 6:05 to play.
 
The Lakers would then make three of their next four free throws to pull ahead 57-54 but once again the Falcons would come charging back to tie it at 58-58 by the 3:31 mark. A bucket by Davis would give them back the lead and start at 9-3 stretch that would put the margin a 67-61 with 38 seconds to play.
 
UM would not go away as Orange Bryant answered back with a three from the corner to cut it to three 12 seconds later and would eventually claw to within 69-67 with 21 seconds remaining. That would be as close as they would get, however, as Powell drove to the hole and laid it in while Davis converted 1-of-2 free throws to seal the 72-67 victory.
 
Orange led all scorers with 18 points and added four rebounds and three steals while Terrell Lipkins finished with 15 points and eight boards. Vaughn Autry chipped in with 10 points and Tevin Worthy had seven points and five rebounds. Talan Whitaker rounded out the top performers with eight rebounds in 24 minutes.
 
Clayton State is right back in action as they host Armstrong State on Wednesday, January 6. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at The Loch.
 
NOTES
The 72-67 win by the Lakers snapped Montevallo's seven game win streak and knocked them from the ranks of the PBC unbeaten.