MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (7-8, 4-5 PBC) could not withstand the offensive push of No. 25 Lander (13-3, 8-2 PBC) as they dropped an 83-56 decision in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Monday, January 15.
 
Junior guard Aysia Grimsley (Marietta, Ga.) scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Lakers while junior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) just missed a double-double with nine points and 10 boards.
 
Junior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.) finished with five points, eight caroms and a pair of steals and redshirt-junior guard Kietta Saunders (Chicago, Ill.) dished out a career-high six assists. Junior forward Velencia Johnson (Hoover, Ala.) rounded things out with eight points.
 
The Bearcats would waste no time as they jumped out to a 14-4 lead by the 4:48 mark of the first period. A three by Grimsley would cut it to seven but only temporarily as LU closed out the frame with a 19-11 advantage.
 
Trailing 26-16 at the 5:40 mark of the second, the Lakers would use a 5-0 burst to cut it to a five point deficit before Lander closed the period with a 10-3 run and a 36-24 lead. It would get no better in the fourth quarter as Lander exploded for 26 points to wrap up the 83-56 victory.
 
Chelsea Mitchel led the Bearcats with 13 points, 18 boards and four assists while Breshay Johnson finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Destinee Langford had 12 points, four assists and five steals and Jessica Harris added nine points three assists and six steals. Christal Williams chipped in with 10 points and four assists and Victoria Baldwin notched 15 points.
 
The Lakers wrap up a three game homestand on Wednesday, January 17 when they host North Georgia. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. at The Loch.