MORROW, Ga. – In their second to last regular season Peach Belt Conference game Clayton State (21-4, 15-3 PBC) slugged out a 51-40 victory over Young Harris (10-15, 5-13 PBC) in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Saturday, February 20. That win, combined with a Columbus State victory has the Lakers heading into a de facto regular season championship game against the Cougars this coming Wednesday.
 
Redshirt-junior center Andrea Benford (Madison, Ga.) delivered with a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, along with four assists and three steals, while senior forward Shay Upshaw (Tampa, Fla.) finished with nine points and five boards. Redshirt-senior forward Jessica Covington (Tifton, Ga.) added eight points and six rebounds and junior guard Dejoun Dennard (Seffner, Fla.) had eight points, four caroms and a pair of assists.
 
Over the first seven and a half minutes, neither team could find their offense as the Lakers managed just a 7-1 lead. They would close the opening quarter with an 11-5 margin before extending to a 17-8 margin by the 8:01 mark of the second.
 
In the next three minutes YHC would answer with seven consecutive points to cut it to 17-15 before Clayton State came right back with an 11-4 run to close the half with a 28-19 lead at the half.
 
That margin would increase to 33-21 early in the third quarter and eventually reach a 16-point difference, 44-28 with 9:36 left. They would not see that lead dip below double digits the rest of the way as they coasted to the 51-40 victory.
 
Jenny Vernet led YHC with 11 points and eight boards while Meredith Tarver had nine points, six boards and three assists. Keta Robinette and Briana Bell each chipped in with seven points apiece.
 
The Lakers have one more regular season game left and it will be to decide the Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship. They will host Columbus State at 5:30 p.m. at The Loch on Wednesday, February 24. That evening will also be Senior Night for Clayton State's five seniors.