MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (3-2, 1-0 PBC) used a massive 25-5 first half run to stake themselves to a considerable lead before hanging on to close out Flagler (3-2, 0-1 PBC) in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Saturday, December 2 at The Loch.
 
Junior forward Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) and senior forward Denzel Council (Macon, Ga.) played similar games as both finished with 18 points and six rebounds to pave the way for the Lakers. They were joined by junior guard Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va.) with 13 points and junior forward Jamil McKee (Greenville, Ga.) with a game-high 11 boards. Senior guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) rounded things out with five assists.
 
After opening with the first eight points, Clayton State would find themselves down 11-10 by the 13:18 mark. They wouldn't stay there for long as they put together a 25-5 run over the next 11:17 to take a 35-16 lead. That massive run was fueled by 12 points along with four rebounds, an assist and a block by Council. From there they would close the opening frame with a 37-18 lead at the break.
 
It would be another extended run at the start of the second half that would push the lead to a game-high 27 points, this time 13-3 in the first 6:22 to make it 50-23. Tuckson would provide seven of those with a jumper, a three and a pair of free throws.
 
Undaunted, Flagler would not go away as they eventually whittled the lead down to a 14 point margin, 50-36, with a 13-0 run culminating at the 10:07 mark. The Lakers would respond by pushing the lead back above 20 points on several occasions, including 68-48 with 3:42 to play, before the Saints answered back.
 
That response would come in the form of a 14-2 burst that pulled them to within 70-62 by the 45 second mark. That would be all they had in them, however, as Clayton State salted away the 74-65 victory with a bucket and a pair of free throws down the stretch.
 
Vaughn McCall dropped a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with six rebounds while Damerit Brown posted a solid all-around game with nine points, eight boards, three steals and three assists. Cortlin Davis chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds and shot 6-of-8 from the foul line to round out the top performers.
 
The Lakers are now off for two weeks until they make the trip to USC Aiken on Saturday, December 16. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. in Aiken, South Carolina.

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POSTGAME INTERVIEW