MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State (13-13, 10-10 PBC) was unable to complete the comeback as UNC Pembroke (10-14, 8-12 PBC) escaped with a 53-47 victory in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Saturday, February 17.
 
Senior forward Abreyln Rackley (St. Louis, Mo.) delivered another tremendous performance as she finished with 18 points and 12 boards while junior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) notched seven points and seven caroms.
 
Junior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) chipped in with four steals, five points and five rebounds and freshman guard Tatiana Foster (Atlanta, Ga.) added four steals, five boards and four assists.
 
Clayton State jumped out to an 8-2 lead over the first 4:24 before UNCP put together a 9-3 stretch to deadlock at 11-11 with 31 seconds left. Johnson then converted an old fashioned three-point play to make it 14-11 heading into the second period.
 
It would be a far different 10 minutes for the Lakers. They would notch the opening bucket with 8:40 on the clock and then go scoreless for the next 7:29. In that time, and in to the third, the Braves would score 13 straight points as part of a massive 25-2 run that gave them a 36-18 lead with 6:47 on the clock.
 
The Lakers cut it to 10 to trail 39-29 entering the fourth quarter but still found themselves down by that same margin with 3:15 to play. Five straight points by Grimsley then keyed a 7-0 run that narrowed the gap to 49-46 with 42 seconds to play. It would not be enough, however, as UNCP salted away the six point victory with three free throws down the stretch.
 
Nyla Allen led all scorers with 20 points to pace the Braves while Aliyah Farmer posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards. Tee Graham added 10 rebounds, four points and three assists and Avery Locklear rounded things out with six points.
 
The Lakers are back in action as they host Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday, February 21. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m. at The Loch and will also be Senior Night.