MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (6-5, 3-2 PBC) battled Young Harris (4-9, 1-5 PBC) for 40 minutes to earn a hard fought 62-56 victory in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Wednesday, January 3.
 
Junior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.) led the way with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go with six boards while junior guard Aysia Grimsley (Marietta, Ga.) finished with 12 points. Junior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) came away with five points, six rebounds and three steals and freshman guard Tatiana Foster (Atlanta, Ga.) added eight points and three steals.
 
Clayton State would surge out a commanding 23-13 lead by the end of the first quarter before YHC came responded. At the start of the second quarter they cut the deficit to five, 23-18, before the Lakers extended to a 30-23 margin by the 3:29 mark.
 
From there the Mountain Lions would use an 8-0 burst to come all the way back and take a 31-30 lead by the 1:04 mark of the second. Clayton State would answer with a free throw and then a three-pointer at the buzzer by freshman guard Dalania Clardy (Riverdale, Ga.) to take a 34-31 advantage into the break.
 
Young Harris would stay within striking distance at the beginning of the third quarter, closing to within two points on three occasions, the coming at 47-45 at the end of the frame. During that time neither team would hold more than a five point advantage. A quick basket by Ge'Naisha Robinson at the 8:51 mark of the fourth knotted the score at 47-47 and set the stage for a frantic finish.
 
The Lakers would come back with four straight points for a 51-47 lead with 6:31 left and would stretch to a five point margin, 54-49, nearly two and a half minutes later. YHC eventually cut the gap to 56-54 by the 3:39 mark but would get no closer as Clayton State salted away the 62-56 victory.
 
Briana Bell finished with 18 points, five rebounds and a pair of steals to lead the Mountain Lions  while Sarah Garner had 10 boards. Ashlyn Ellison and Robinson had 11 and nine points, respectively, and Sara Jorgensen added six points, six caroms and three assists in 36 minutes to round out the top performers.
 
The Lakers are back in action this weekend when they travel to Francis Marion for a game on Saturday, January 6. Game time is set for 1:30 p.m. in Florence, South Carolina.