MORROW, Ga. – A 33-point first half lead would be all Clayton State (1-3, 0-0 PBC) would need as they demolished Paine (0-3, 0-0 SIAC) by a 99-58 score in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Saturday, November 25.
 
Junior forward Velencia Johnson (Hoover, Ala.) delivered a career game with 21 points, 11 rebounds and a pair of steals while junior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) finished with 18 points, six boards, three steals and an 8-of-9 performance at the foul line. Rounding out the double-figure scorers were junior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.) and senior guard Aysia Grimsley (Marietta, Ga.) with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Freshman guard Tatiana Foster (Atlanta, Ga.) produced a solid all-around game with eight points, five caroms and career-high tying six steals. Freshman center Brittany Hardeman (Phoeniz, Ariz.) added nine points and seven boards and redshirt-junior center Shaquoria Miles (Garysburg, N.C.) added seven points and seven rebounds.
 
The Lakers would waste no time as they quickly opened a 26-11 lead over the first 10 minutes before seeing that lead grow to a commanding 48-15 by the 2:38 mark of the second quarter. Paine would cut it to a 26 point margin at 48-22 with just over a minute left in the half before allowing a 7-2 surge that put it at 55-24 at the break.
 
It would get no better over the first 6:12 of the second half as the lead ballooned to 37 points at 70-33. It would be 84-38 by the end of the frame before the Lions responded. Over the course of the fourth quarter they would outscore Clayton State 20-15 to reach the final margin of 99-58.
 
Keondra Archie led the Lions with 12 points and eight rebounds while Hermione Bankole finished with a team-high 13 points. Asia Timmons had eight points and Ashley Washington added four steals and as many points to wrap up Paine's top performers.
 
The Lakers are back in action right away as they host Shorter on Monday, November 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at The Loch.