GREENVILLE, Tenn. – A 23 point halftime deficit was too much for Clayton State (1-2, 0-0 PBC) to overcome despite a third quarter rally as they dropped a 93-62 decision at Tusculum (3-0, 0-0 SAC) in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Tuesday, November 12.
 
Senior guard Taneria Wilson (Fort Pierce, Fla.) delivered another impressive performance with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals while graduate forward Jhade Hayes (Land O'Lakes, Fla.) delivered a career-high 13 points to go with six boards. Senior forward Kelsie Towns (Butler, Ga.) added 11 points and junior forward Timi'a Swanson (Americus, Ga.) finished with eight points, three caroms and a pair of steals.
 
Holding an early and narrow 6-4 lead at the 5:54 mark, the Pioneers would open up their offense as they exploded for a 16-2 run over the next three minutes to push to a commanding 22-6 advantage. They would close the opening frame with a 24-8 lead before picking up in the second right where they left off.
 
That 16 point lead would only continue to grow as they extended to a 34-13 margin with 6:25 left in the second before taking a 47-24 spread to the break.
 
The Lakers would battle back in the third, putting together an 18-6 run that cut the deficit to 53-42 by the 3:58 mark but it would not stay that way long. TU would answer with a dominant 11-1 run of their own to make it 64-43 just under two minutes later. With the score at 69-51 entering the fourth, the Pioneers would not let up as they outscored Clayton State 24-11 over the final 10 minutes to close out the 93-62 victory.
 
Mia Long led Tusculum with a game-high 23 points to go with eight assists, six steals and five rebounds while Sydney Wilson had 22 points. Kasey Johnson just missed a double-double with 12 points and nine boards along with a pair of steals and Maddie Sutton finished with 10 points and seven caroms.
 
Clayton State is back in action this weekend as they head to the Florida Tech Classic in Melbourne, Florida from November 15-16. They will open against Rollins at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 15 before taking on host Florida Tech at 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 16.
 
NOTES
Hayes previous career-high for points was 11 set at rival Columbus State on February 24, 2018.