MORROW, Ga. – Riding a career night and a third straight double-double from senior guard Nathan Powell (Orlando, Fla.), Clayton State (13-5, 11-3 PBC) outlasted Young Harris (6-14, 5-9 PBC) to claim an 88-85 victory in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Wednesday, January 31.
 
Powell continued the most impressive stretch of his career, finishing with career-highs of 24 points and 12 rebounds, six of which were off the offensive glass, to lead the Lakers. Not only was it his third straight double-double but also the third straight outing that he tied or broke his career mark for rebounds.
 
Not far behind him in the scoring column was senior guard Dantez Bennamon (Goose Creek, S.C.) who dropped 19 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor and an 8-of-11 mark at the foul line.
 
Redshirt-junior guard Aubrey McRae (Augusta, Ga.) added 13 points, five boards, two assists and a pair of steals and junior forward Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) contributed eight points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va.) and sophomore guard Christoff Nairn (West Palm Beach, Fla.) rounded things out with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
After trailing 4-2 just past the opening minute, Clayton State barreled out to a 20-10 lead behind an 18-6 run over the next 5:05. That margin would grow to 25-14 before YHC scored eight unanswered points to cut it to a three-point deficit, 25-22, with 8:54 left in the half.
 
The Lakers would respond by quelling that run and pushing out to a 31-24 advantage by the 7:23 mark. The Mountain Lions would not go away, however, as Nicksen Blanc scored six straight points to cut it to one before Clayton State rebuilt their lead.
 
That would come in the form of nine consecutive points from Powell to extend to a 43-32 margin with 2:55 on the clock. From there, Young Harris closed the half with an 8-2 burst to head to the break down just 45-40.
 
Things would remain close in the second half as the clubs would be separated by no more than six points, twice a margin held by the Lakers, the latter at 55-49 with 15:46 on the clock. Leading 60-58 more than four minutes later, six straight points sparked a 13-2 run that stretched the lead to 73-60 at the 7:46 mark.
 
Once again, YHC refused to be deterred as they slowly clawed their way back into the game, using a 19-9 run to get within 82-79 with 2:05 left. A layup by Powell then gave him his career-high in points and helped push the margin to 86-81 only to see the Mountain Lions close back to 87-85 with 14 seconds on the clock.
 
Following a 1-of-2 trip at the line for Clayton State that left it a one possession game, Young Harris raced down court but couldn't find the open three. Eventually a long three from the left wing overshot the hoop to clinch the 88-85 Laker victory.
 
Blanc led the way for the Mountain Lions with a game-high 26 points to go with 11 boards while J.B. Charles had 16 points and eight rebounds. Antonio Wade finished with 13 points, eight assists and three steals and Ben Waterhouse notched 15 points. Corey Nelson chipped in with eight points, eight caroms and three assists.
 
The Lakers come back to The Loch for a mini two game homestand beginning on Saturday, February 3 when they host Francis Marion. Game time is set for approximately 3:30 p.m. following the women's game against the Patriots.
 
NOTES
Powell surpassed his previous career best of 23 points set against Young Harris (2/20/16) … his 12 rebounds were one more than the personal best of 11 he set this past Saturday, January 27 against Columbus State.