GREENWOOD, S.C. – In a matchup of Peach Belt Conference rivals Clayton State (4-5, 1-2 PBC) could not get on track as Lander (8-2, 3-1 PBC) posted a 93-59 decision in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Tuesday, December 19.
 
Junior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) led the Lakers with 11 points and was joined by freshman guard Tatiana Foster (Atlanta, Ga.) with 10 points, four boards and a pair of assists and junior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.) just missed a double-double with eight points and seven rebounds. Junior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) finished with 10 points and senior guard Mercedes Jenkins (Jonesboro, Ga.) added five steals and six points.
 
Following an 8-2 burst to start the first, Lander would allow a Laker bucket at 6:53 before taking full control of the period. Over the next 5:59 they would erupt for a massive 22-2 run that propelled them to a daunting 30-6 lead. A jumper by Merriweather stemmed the tied and sent the teams to the second quarter with a 22 point margin.
 
Clayton State would stop the onslaught over the first five minutes of the frame but would only close to within 20 points, 39-19, by the 4:56 mark. They get below the 20 point threshold, however, as the clubs went to the break at 42-23.
 
It would get no better in the second half as the lead would grow to 27 points, 69-42, just before the close of the third period. From there the Bearcats posted a 24 point fourth quarter to wrap up a 93-59 victory.
 
Destinee Langford led Lander with 19 points, four rebounds, three steals and three assists while Breshay Johnson notched a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Christal Williams finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting and Chelsea Mitchell had 18 points, nine caroms, six assists and five steals. Jessica Harris rounded things out with 10 points and six assists.
 
The Lakers are now off for the holidays before returning to action at The Loch against Augusta on Saturday, December 30. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m.