MORROW, Ga. – Senior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) equaled her career-high for points and Clayton State (16-7, 12-5 PBC) led almost wire-to-wire as they delivered an emphatic 76-47 victory over Flagler (16-7, 12-5 PBC) in a battle for sole possession of third place in the Peach Belt Conference in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Saturday, February 16.
 
Bland lit it up for a career-high tying 21 points and knocked down 5-of-8 triples to surpass her personal best for made three-pointers, along with three steals, while senior forward Velencia Johnson (Hoover, Ala.) ripped a double-double with 17 points, 10 boards and three assists.
 
Junior guard Taneria Wilson (Fort Pierce, Fla.) came away with 12 points, four steals, four rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes and redshirt-junior guard Madison Newby (Lawrenceville, Ga.) chipped in with 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting to round out the top performers.
 
Clayton State would take an early 8-7 lead just over five minutes in before erupting for a 15-3 run that would vault their lead to a 23-10 margin by the end of the opening frame. That surge would feature seven points from Johnson.
 
The Saints would find their footing at the start of the second quarter, however, as they put together a 10-4 run over the first 7:17. That pulled them to within 27-20 but the Lakers would score eight of the final 10 points of the half to head to the break with a 35-22 advantage.
 
Things would change dramatically in the third period, however, and not in Flagler's favor. Clayton State would deliver the knockout blow as they barreled out to a 52-28 lead behind a devastating 23-6 run. From there it would be academic as the Lakers closed the frame with a 58-35 margin before powering out to a 70-44 spread by the 3:45 mark. They would go on to wrap up the commanding 76-47 victory just minutes later.
 
Tabitha Odabe led the Saints with 10 points, six blocks and six boards while Chris Wilson added seven points and eight caroms. Tatiyana Rock chipped in with eight points and Jazzy Mathis and Dayuna Johnson each had six points.
 
The Lakers continue a three-game homestand on Monday, February 18 when they host Augusta. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at The Loch.
 

Flagler vs. Clayton State (2/16/19)