Clayton State University Athletics

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Faced with a rematch of last year's NCAA Tournament quarterfinal game, Clayton State (1-0, 0-0 PBC) took down No. 21 Anderson (0-1, 0-0 SAC) as they earned a convincing 84-73 victory in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Friday, November 11.
 
A pair of double-double efforts and 51 total rebounds helped fuel the Lakers impressive season-opening victory. Leading the way was redshirt-senior forward Ashley Cunningham (Douglasville, Ga.) as she scored a career-high 15 points and came within one of a career-best on the glass, ripping down 10 boards. Even more impressive was the fact that she did all of that in only 19 minutes of action – and knocked down 7-of-9 from the foul line in the process.
 
She was joined by junior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.), who was a force to be reckoned with herself. The transfer from Darton State hauled in 15 caroms to go along with 12 points for the second double-double of the evening. A fellow newcomer, junior center Rayven Thomas (North Las Vegas, Nev.), would add 13 points, six boards, three steals and a pair of blocks.
 
Redshirt-senior guard Tierra Johnson (Edison, N.J.) chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and a steal and block while redshirt-senior guard Tweety Hawkins (Madison, Ga.) finished with 10 points. Junior guard Jimecheia Banks (Phenix, City, Ala.) produced nine points and a game-high four steals to round out the top performers.
 
Throughout the first quarter it would be a back-and-forth affair as the teams traded the lead an impressive 12 times. The last change would spark a 12-4 run for the Lakers that left them with a 24-17 advantage at the seven minute mark of the second quarter.
 
Following an AU jumper to break up that stretch, Clayton State went right back at it, scoring nine of the next 11 points for an overall run of 21-6. The offensive outburst over a span of 6:16 gave them a 33-19 lead with 4:13 to play in the half.
 
The Trojans would regain their form over the final four-plus minutes as they rallied for a 14-7 run to cut the gap to 40-33 at the break. In the first half, Rackley nearly had a double-double as she finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
Six points by Cunningham over the first 4:15 of the third quarter would stretch the Lakers lead to 48-37 before Anderson got within eight, 50-42 by the 4:19 mark. Keeping the margin under double-digits would be short lived as Clayton State answered right back with another 9-2 run to stretch the lead to 59-44 just over two and a half minutes later.
 
The Trojans would once again rally at the end of a frame, this time with a five point burst to get it back to a 10-point deficit. A Hawkins triple just before the break pushed it to a 62-51 margin but AU just kept on coming, scoring the first six points of the fourth to get to within 62-57 at the eight minute mark.
 
A Laker free throw would do little to dissuade them as they pulled to within 63-61 with 6:17 left. A Banks layup would help stem the tide and allow Clayton State to push out to a seven point advantage, 70-63, exactly two minutes later.
 
After a pair of free throws cut it to five points, the Lakers continued to pull away, outscoring Anderson 8-3 over the next 2:41 to extend to a 78-68 lead. That margin would be enough down the stretch as Clayton State closed out AU, 84-71, and avenged – at least partially – last season's NCAA Tournament meeting.
 
Jasmine Franklin led the way for Anderson with a double-double of her own, finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Nakia Young had 12 points and five boards while Erika Martin also came away with 12 points. Alexis Dillard added 11 points and six rebounds and Heather Jankowy had 10 points, five boards and six assists.
 
The Lakers conclude their stay in Savannah tomorrow as they take on another NCAA Tournament team in Wingate. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at Alumni Arena.
 
NOTES
Last season Anderson defeated Clayton State 80-66 in an NCAA Division II Tournament Quarterfinal in Gaffney, South Carolina … the win by the Lakers evens the all-time series at 1-1 … Cunningham's previous career-high in points was 11 against Palm Beach Atlantic on November 13, 2015.