MORROW, Ga. – It would come down to the final seconds in a game that saw numerous extended runs by both teams as Clayton State (3-4, 0-0 PBC) was outlasted by King (7-2, 1-1 CC), 63-62, in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Friday, December 14.
 
Senior forward Jaylen Taylor (Hephzibah, Ga.) led the Lakers with a game-high 20 points and just missed a double-double with nine boards while notching a pair of steals and dishing out two assists.
 
He was joined in double-figures by redshirt-senior guard Aubrey McRae (Augusta, Ga.) with 12 points and six caroms and junior guard D'von Moore (Statesboro, Ga.) drained three triples on his way to nine points and three assists. Junior guard Kyle Kincey (Tallahassee, Fla.) finished with six points and a game-high five assists and senior guard Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va.) added eight points.
 
The Tornado would jump out to a 15-6 advantage but it would take them most of the first nine minutes to do it as neither offense could find their rhythm. That margin would grow to 22-12 by the 5:54 mark but wouldn't stay there long as Clayton State responded with a 12-2 run over the next 4:38 to knot it up at 24-24.
 
A bucket by King gave them back the lead but Moore would make sure the Lakers headed to the break up. Over the final 30 seconds he would be the difference maker, knocking down a contested three from the wing for the lead before swiping the ball at the other end and nailing a buzzer beater from just inside half court. That performance would give them a 30-26 advantage heading to the break.
 
After seeing KU tie it at 30-30, a fastbreak dunk by Taylor and a corner three by McRae would quell that run and ignite a 16-3 burst that would make it 46-33 with 13:34 to play. The Tornado would rally to within 46-42 before a McRae triple stretched back to a seven point margin at the 11:06 mark.
 
That would balloon to a 58-46 advantage as junior guard Christoff Nairn (West Palm Beach, Fla.)
capped the run with a three with 7:48 remaining. Things would change dramatically over the next 7:18, however, as the Tornado swept through with a 15-2 run that gave them a 61-60 lead with 49 seconds to play.
 
Mike Salomon scored five points in that stretch, including a pair of free throws that put them ahead, and Jordan Young added four. The Lakers were not done though as Taylor corralled an offensive rebound and put it back up and in for a 62-61 lead with 31 seconds on the clock.
 
King would call a timeout when they got the ball back then proceed to miss three straight free throws, including the frontend of a 1-and-1. The latter, however, would see James Brown rip down the offensive board and get fouled on the way back up.
 
Unlike their recent unsuccessful trips to the charity stripe, Brown would make both for a narrow 63-62 advantage. Down one with 4.7 seconds to play, Clayton State used a timeout and worked the ball into the front court, quickly getting it to Tuckson on the wing for a last second three that just missed to lock in the one point final.
 
Salomon led King with 19 points, eight boards and three steals in 31 minutes and Brown just missed a double-double with eight points and nine boards. Tyre Moore, Jr. finished with eight points and five rebounds while Young ripped down eight boards to go with four points. Justin Frazier rounded things out with eight points.
 
The Lakers return to action on Monday, December 17 when they host No. 8 USC Aiken (9-0, 3-0 PBC). Game time is set for approximately 7:30 p.m. at The Loch following the women's contest.
 
NOTES
The victory by King is the first in the brief series history with Clayton State … the teams have met in each of the past two seasons with the Lakers having taken both of those outings.
 

King vs. Clayton State (12/14/18)

 

King vs. Clayton State (12/14/18) - Postgame Interview

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