MORROW, Ga. – A 20-of-22 performance from the foul line and a defense that forced 22 turnovers helped lead Clayton State (2-3, 0-0 PBC) to a solid 66-48 non-conference victory over Shorter (1-4, 0-0 GSC) in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Monday, November 27.
 
Senior guard Mercedes Jenkins (Jonesboro, Ga.) led a balanced offensive effort with nine points, six rebounds and three assists while junior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) finished with 10 points, six boards and four steals.

Redshirt-junior guard Kietta Saunders (Chicago, Ill.) added seven points and four caroms while junior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) and freshman guard Dalania Clardy (Riverdale, Ga.) each chipped in with seven points.
 
Clayton State would be on point at both ends of the floor early on as they surged out to a 15-3 lead over the first 9:26 before closing the opening period with a 15-6 advantage. That margin would grow to 23-10 by the 5:56 mark before the Hawks closed to within 11 points just seconds later. From there the Lakers would erupt for a 16-4 run behind three triples to close the half with a 39-16 lead.
 
SU opened with a bucket to start the third quarter only to see their deficit grow to a game-high 27 points, 47-20, as Clayton State capped an 8-2 burst with 4:42 left in the frame. It would get no better for the Hawks as they would only manage to get the lead down to 19 points twice before clawing to within 18 a pair of times in the final minutes, including the final margin of 66-48.
 
Jasmine Gaines led Shorter with a game-high 19 points, going a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line, while BreAnna Thompson had six points and six rebounds. Bianca Thornton added five points and five caroms and Jackie Hudson finished with six boards to round out the top performers.
 
The Lakers are back in action when they open Peach Belt Conference play as they host Flagler on Saturday, December 2. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. at The Loch.
 
NOTES
The meeting between the two teams was the first since November 18, 1998 … Shorter holds a 9-8 advantage in a series that dates back to January 8, 1992 – the first season in the history Laker women's basketball.