MORROW, Ga. – In a game with huge implications in the race for seeding and even making the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, Clayton State (14-12, 9-8 PBC) erupted for an incredible 32-4 first half run but could not hold off a fierce Young Harris (14-11, 8-8 PBC) as they dropped a 70-64 decision in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Wednesday, February 15.
 
Redshirt-senior forward Alfonso Davis (Bronx, N.Y.) had another tremendous game as he finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, seven of which were off of the offensive glass, five blocks and three assists.
 
He was joined by junior guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.) with eight points, nine assists and five rebounds while junior guard Kendall Joseph (Snellville, Ga.) hit four threes on his way to 14 points. Graduate forward Jaumonee Byrd (Douglasville, Ga.) rounded things out with nine points.
 
The Mountain Lions powered out to an impressive 16-5 lead over the first 6:30 but what came next would make that pale in comparison. Over the next 12 minutes, Clayton State would demolish YHC to the tune of a massive 32-4 run that took them from down 11 to up 17 by a 37-20 score.
 
During that stretch they scored the first 19 points before Young Harris scratched out a single free throw. From there the Lakers would go on to take a 39-24 lead into the break over the final 1:30.
 
YHC would close to within 47-40 by the 12:14 mark of the second half but find themselves down 12 points, 52-40, less than two minutes later. At that point, it was the Mountain Lions turn to go on a run as they scored 22 of the next 29 points, including 17 straight, to come all the way back and take a 62-59 lead with 3:40 to play.
 
The Lakers would answer with a bucket to pull within one but found themselves trailing 66-62 at the 1:45 mark. Davis would then knock down a jumper from the top of the key to cut it to two but Young Harris would answer with a pair of free throws and a thunderous dunk from Marques McKoy to seal the 70-64 victory.
 
Marcellus Roberts posted a monster game with 24 points and nine rebounds while C.J. Wilson was his usual all-around threat with eight points, seven assists, eight rebounds and three steals. They were joined by Waterhouse with 16 points and five rebounds and McKoy with nine points.
 
The Lakers wrap up their regular road slate with a trip to Georgia College on Saturday, February 18. Game time is set for a special time of 5:30 p.m. in Milledgeville, Georgia following the conclusion of the women's game.
 
NOTES
The game suffered a brief power outage of unknown origin for approximately five minutes … the lights went out at 8:48 p.m. and play resumed at 8:53 p.m. … the outage occurred with 14:15 remaining in the game and the Lakers leading 47-35 … with the loss, Clayton State falls into a three-way tie for the third spot in the PBC West Division … at 9-8, they are tied with Columbus State, whom they swept and hold the tiebreaker over, and Georgia College … GC currently holds the tiebreaker in that matchup with a 60-51 win at The Loch on February 1 … those two teams face off this weekend.