MORROW, Ga. – Facing a team that reached last season's NCAA Tournament, Clayton State (4-4, 0-0 PBC) battled a strong Saint Leo (5-5, 1-2 SSC) to earn a 75-62 victory in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Tuesday, December 13.
 
Graduate forward Jaumonee Byrd (Douglasville, Ga.) led the way for the Lakers with a near double-double of 17 points and nine rebounds along with a pair of steals. He was joined by redshirt-senior forward Alfonso Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) who had seven points and a team-high 11 rebounds, four of which were on the offensive glass.
 
Junior guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) added 16 points and junior guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) had seven points, five assists, four boards and two steals.
 
After staying within four points of each other over the first six minutes, SLU took a 13-7 lead with 13:20 left in the half. Trailing 16-8 two minutes later, Clayton State would answer back with a 7-0 burst to pull to within 16-15 with 9:55 on the clock.
 
Both offenses would go cold over the next 3:43 as the Lions extended to a 21-15 advantage. The Lakers then responded with a 9-2 stretch to take their first lead of the game, 24-23, with 3:41 left in the half. Following three quick lead changes, Saint Leo would then close the frame with a 34-26 margin behind an 11-2 run.
 
That offensive outburst would continue at the start of the second half as SLU would push their lead to 45-32 by the 15:40 mark. Clayton State would eventually battle back to get the lead under double-figures at 56-47 before the Lions picked up a bucket to stretch it back to an 11 point advantage with 8:33 on the clock.
 
The Lakers would then mount an 8-3 rally, aided by a pair of technical free throws, to cut it to 61-55 by the 4:54 mark. They would get no closer, however, as Saint Leo salted away a 75-62 victory as they went an impressive 12-of-14 from the foul line down the stretch.
 
Marcus Dewberry led the way for the Lions with 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. Tyreece Brice added 15 points and five assists and Justin Satchell had 12 points, seven boards and three steals. Junior Searcy rounded things out with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
 
Clayton State is right back in action early on Thursday, December 15 as they host neighboring Carver. That game is slated for an 11 a.m. start as part of Clayton County Middle School Honors Day, recognizing the academic accomplishments of more than 400 middle school students.