NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Lander 85 – Clayton State 50
Records: Lakers (1-1, 1-1 PBC) – Bearcats (4-0, 2-0 PBC)
Series History: Tied at 20-20
 
GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Clayton State women's basketball team suffered a tough 85-50 loss at No. 13 Lander University Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference matchup in Finnis Horne Arena.

A Praise Russell 3-pointer put the Lakers (1-1, 1-1 PBC) up 3-2 at the 8:44 mark in the opening period, but the Bearcats (4-0, 2-0 PBC) used a 6-0 run to pull ahead 8-3.

Clayton State battled back to an 8-7 deficit, but Lander closed the first quarter with a 16-6 run and led 49-23 at halftime.

The Lakers responded in the third quarter and outscored the Bearcats 16-11, but the lead was too much as Lander ran away with the game in the fourth, scoring 25 points.

Audrey McElhaney and Jada Francois Lubin led the way for the Lakers with 10 points and four rebounds apiece while Kerry Watson added eight points, five assists and five steals.

Jessica Maye had a team-high seven rebounds. Timi'a Swanson added six points, six rebounds and four steals.

COMING UP:
- Clayton State hits the road again on Wednesday, January 13, with a trip to Columbus State for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
- The Lakers then return home to face USC Aiken on Saturday, January 16, and Georgia Southwestern on January 20.
 
TURNING POINT:
- Clayton State trailed 8-7 midway in the first quarter but allowed a 16-6 run to Lander who led 24-13 after the first 10 minutes.
 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Lander's Makaila Cange had a game-high 19 points and added 12 rebounds. 
- Teammate Miriam Recarte had 15 rebounds and 13 points.  

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Lander tied the overall series with 20 wins apiece.
 
 
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