MORROW, Ga. – On August 18, 1997, Clayton State Athletics completed a significant transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II. The 2017-18 season marked the 20^th anniversary of that accomplishment. Over a seven week span, the Sports Information Office is releasing the top 20 moments in the NCAA era, one on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday with select exceptions.
  The countdown continues with the No. 17 moment, Women's Basketball Wins No. 1 vs. No. 2 Game vs. Lander on February 10, 2011.
 
It was already going to be one of the biggest games in program history but it turned out to be one of the biggest wins by the Lakers. It would also lead to things never before accomplished in the Southeast Region over the next six weeks.
 
Below is the original recap from February 10, 2011 with all the details from Clayton State's record setting victory.
  MORROW, Ga. – February 10, 2011 – What will go down as one of the best women's basketball games in Peach Belt Conference history, the Clayton State Lakers will remember it for a lifetime.
 
Junior forward Tanisha Woodard scored on a short jump shot in the lane with six seconds remaining as Clayton State rallied for a thrilling 83-81 victory over visiting Lander in a battle of the nation's top two ranked teams in Division II before a standing room-only crowd on Thursday night at the Athletics and Fitness Center. The victory makes No. 2 Clayton State the nation's lone remaining undefeated team in Division II at 23-0 overall and 12-0 in the Peach Belt.
 
No. 1 Lander suffered its first defeat of the season to fall to 23-1 and 13-1 in the Peach Belt.
 
It came down to the final four minutes for the Lakers. Lander took a 79-69 lead on a 3-point basket by Jasmine Judge at the 4:14 mark. However, Clayton State got back-to-back lay-ups by Teshymia Tillman and Breanna Fort to trim the Lady Bearcat lead to six points. Following a Lander turnover, Tillman converted a huge 3-point play with a baseline jump shot in transition, cutting the Laker lead to 79-76 with 2:54 remaining.
 
Following a missed Lady Bearcat 3-point attempt, Brittany Hall capped a 10-0 Clayton State run with a 3-point basket from the left wing, tying the score 79-79 at the 2:08 mark.
 
The two teams traded leads as Hall gave the Lakers an 81-80 lead with a running jump shot in the lane. However, Lander tied the game on a free throw by Mukia Myrick with 36 seconds remaining.
 
Clayton State had a chance to win with 36 seconds remaining, but Tillman missed a lay-up with 12 seconds remaining. Grabbing the rebound, Lander's Tasheba Butler lost the ball out of bounds with seven seconds remaining.
 
On the inbounds play, the Lakers' Latonda Bruce lobbed the ball to a cutting Woodard in the lane. The junior caught ball and banked the jumper off the glass in one motion. Lander tried to tie it in the waning seconds, but a lob pass attempt to Shannon McKever was long as time expired.
 
Clayton State shot 50 percent from the field and from 3-point range for the game, including 58 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range in the second half. Tillman paced five Lakers in double-figures with 24 points, while Woodard and Hall each scored 14 points. Drameka Griggs scored 11 points off the bench and Fort added 10 points.
 
Nine of Woodard's points came in the first half as she engineered a late 10-0 Clayton State run by banking a 3-point basket as time expired to tie the game 41-41 at halftime.
 
For Lander, McKever recorded a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds, followed by Judge with 15 points on five 3-point baskets. Lander shot 52 percent from the field, including 50 percent from 3-point range.
 
Up next for Clayton State is a 1:30 p.m. showdown at home against Francis Marion on Saturday.
 
Schedule of NCAA 20^th Anniversary Countdown Releases
No. 1 (July 11)
No. 2 (July 9)
No. 3 (July 5)
No. 4 (July 2)
No. 5 (June 29)
No. 6 (June 27)
No. 7 (June 25)
No. 8 (June 22)
No. 9 (June 20)
No. 10 (June 18)
No. 11 (June 15)
No. 12 (June 13)
No. 13 (June 11)
No. 14 (June 8)
No. 15 (June 6)
No. 16 (June 4)
No. 17 Women's Basketball Wins No. 1 vs. No. 2 Game vs. Lander on February 10, 2011 (June 1)
No. 18 Men's Basketball Wins First Ever PBC Championship in 2001-02 Regular Season Finale (May 30)
No. 19 Women's Cross Country Wins PBC, Heads to 2012 NCAA National Championships (May 28)
No. 20 Women's Tennis Makes NCAA Tournament in 1999 (May 25)