MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (13-7, 8-6 PBC) delivered a solid 68-55 victory over Georgia Southwestern (8-13, 4-10 PBC) in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Saturday, February 6, improving their postseason chances in the Peach Belt Conference.
 
Junior forward Alfonso Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) recorded his ninth game of at least 20 points in his last 10 games as he finished with 21 points, six rebounds and a pair of steals to lead the Lakers. Senior forward Takija Knight (Crawfordville, Fla.) finished with six points and eight rebounds and sophomore guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) had five points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.
 
Senior guard Saiquan Terry (Manchester, Ga.), sophomore guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) and junior center Darrius Moore (Memphis, Tenn.) each added eight points. Terry also chipped in with a game-high four steals to round out the top performances.
 
After GSW took an early 6-3 lead, it would quickly turn into a game of runs over the next 9:24. The Lakers would explode for 14 straight points behind 10 points from Davis to take a 17-6 lead by the 12:04 mark. Undaunted, the Hurricanes would respond with a 14-0 run over their own to flip the script and take a 20-17 advantage with 7:22 on the clock.
 
Clayton State would battle back to tie it at 22-22 two and a half minutes later before an exchange of buckets left the clubs deadlocked at 24-24 at the 4:20 mark. A long three by Jure Gunjina gave Georgia Southwestern back the lead 16 seconds later but it would be their last points of the half as the Lakers closed with the last six points to pull back ahead and take a 30-27 lead into the break.
 
A 7-3 burst to start the second half gave GSW a 34-33 lead by the 16:30 mark before Clayton State came back with a 16-5 run over the next 8:26 to make it 52-38. The Hurricanes would not get closer than 12 point margin as the Lakers extended the lead to 62-46 with just over four to play. From there, they would go on to close out the 68-55 victory.
 
Chandler Thomas finished with 17 points and seven rebounds in 37 minutes to pace GSW while Devin Watson had 12 points and a pair of steals. Brandon Price added 12 points and three assists and Jure Gunjina had 10 points and eight boards. Adam Thoseby chipped in with four points and seven boards.
 
The Lakers return to action on Wednesday, February 10 when they begin a three-game road trip at USC Aiken. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. in Aiken, S.C.
 
NOTES
Over his last 10 games, Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals … he has also shot .563 from the field and .841 at the foul line during that time.