MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Clayton State (1-1, 0-0 PBC) picked up its first victory of the season in thrilling fashion as they came away with an 86-83 decision at LeMoyne-Owen (2-3, 0-0 SIAC) in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Monday, November 20.
 
Redshirt-junior guard Aubrey McRae (Augusta, Ga.) delivered a career game as he scored 21 points behind 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc and added four rebounds and a pair of steals in 27 minutes. He was joined by senior guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) who just missed a triple-double with eight points, eight caroms and seven assists.
 
Junior forwards Jamil McKee (Greenville, Ga.) and Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) added 18 points and six boards and 11 points and six caroms, respectively, while junior guard Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va.) posted 11 points and six assists. Senior guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) rounded things out with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.
 
In a back-and-forth affair early, the teams would be separated by no more than five points over the first 5:41 as the Magicians took a 16-11 lead. That lead would grow to 24-18 by the 10:57 mark before the Lakers responded with a 13-2 run that vaulted them to a 31-26 advantage just over four and a half minutes later.
 
Clayton State would keep their foot on the pedal as they pushed to a 45-36 margin with just over two minutes left in the half before LOC cut it to 48-43 by the break.
 
A 10-4 burst to begin the second half helped extend the lead to 11 points at 58-47 and the Lakers would maintain at least a seven point lead through the 11:58 mark. With the score at 64-57, LeMoyne-Owen would get it to five only to see the margin balloon up to a game-high 12 points, 77-65, with 7:53 to play.
 
With the score at 82-70, the Magicians mounted a comeback that brought them all the way back. They drained three three-pointers as part of a 13-0 run, including one by Rashawn Ellis that put them back ahead, 83-82, with just 1:11 left.
 
Instead of folding following that gut check, Clayton State responded the way a defending league champion does – by finding a way to win despite adversity. McRae tied it on a free throw with 53 seconds on the clock, the defense forced a missed three at the other end and Taylor converted on 1-of-2 at the line with 12 seconds left for an 84-83 lead.
 
LOC ran the clock down at the other end, playing for the final shot but missed a layup that would have given them the lead. Powell came down with the rebound and was immediately fouled with two seconds on the clock. He would go on to sink both free throws to seal the 86-83 decision and give Clayton State its first victory on the season.
 
Rashawn Ellis was lights out for LOC as he scored a game-high 34 points on 14-of-23 shooting and Aston Morton added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Jaquan Lawrence finished with eight points, five boards and a pair of blocks and Branson Bush chipped in with nine points. Anthony Green added six points and a team-high six assists.
 
The Lakers return to action following the holiday when they travel to King on Saturday, November 25. Game time is set for 4 p.m. in Bristol, Tennessee.
 
NOTES
The game was just the second all-time meeting between the clubs and the first in Memphis, Tennessee … Clayton State is now 2-0 against the Magicians following last year's 113-101 victory at The Loch.