AMERICUS, Ga. – Having weathered an early run, Clayton State (19-8, 15-6 PBC) took complete control with a 28-8 run that spanned the first two quarters as they hammered Georgia Southwestern (8-19, 5-16 PBC) by a 74-56 score in an NCAA Division II women's basketball game on Wednesday, February 27.
 
Junior forward Kelsie Towns (Butler, Ga.) delivered her first career double as she finished with 13 points and career-highs of 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a pair of blocks in 30 minutes. She was joined by redshirt-junior guard Madison Newby (Lawrenceville, Ga.) with 10 points, four rebounds, two steals and two assists.
 
Senior center Aleisha Merriweather (Augusta, Ga.) wasn't far behind with nine points, seven caroms and three steals while senior guard TaKwana Bland (Williamston, N.C.) and junior guard Taneria Wilson (Fort Pierce, Fla.) each added eight points. Senior forward Velencia Johnson (Hoover, Ala.) chipped in with five points and as many rebounds and graduate guard Kietta Saunders (Chicago, Ill.) had six points and three assists.
 
The Hurricanes opened strong as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead by the 7:16 mark before Clayton State went from down three to up 16-13 behind an 8-2 run by the end of the opening period.
 
A three by Mariya Trimble to open the second knotted it up but would not be a sign of things to come and in fact it would be quite the opposite. Tied at 20-20 at the 7:12 mark the Lakers would explode for a 15-3 run, fueled by six points from Bland, to close the opening half with a 35-23 advantage.
 
Over the first 3:59 of the third that lead would balloon to 20 points at 48-28 before GSW got off the deck. They would play almost even over the remainder of the frame, scoring 11 of the next 23 points to trail 60-39 entering the fourth quarter. That period would be only slightly kinder to the Hurricanes as they outscored the Lakers 17-14 but still dropped their 13^th in a row, this one by a 74-56 final.
 
Brianna Perry led Georgia Southwestern with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting and added four steals and as many rebounds while Trimble finished with 10 points and 12 boards. Adrianne Brown had nine points and four caroms and Lex Chatman chipped in with six points, three rebounds, two steals and a pair of assists.
 
The Lakers wrap up the regular season on Saturday, March 2 when they host rival Columbus State. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m. at The Loch and will also serve as Senior Day.
 
NOTES
Towns' previous career-high was eight rebounds in the first meeting against Georgia Southwestern on January 30, 2019.