NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Clayton State 79 – No. 23 Valdosta State 92
Records: Lakers (1-2, 0-0 PBC) – Blazers (2-1, 0-0 GSC)
All-Time Series: Valdosta Leads 9-3
 
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Clayton State men's basketball team led early in the second half but fell 92-79 to No. 23 Valdosta State Tuesday night.

The Blazers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game before the Lakers used a 15-3 run to lead 15-8 lead at 15:19 in the first half.

The battle would continue throughout the first half as Clayton State held a single-digit lead until VSU regained the lead with 11:25 on the scoreboard.

Valdosta would pull ahead by six with close to seven minutes to play, but the Lakers fought back and used a Ricardo Lynch 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to take a 49-47 lead into halftime.

Kobie Johnson scored a team-high 19 points off five 3-pointers. Jalen Shaw delivered 14 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out four assists. His 12 rebounds are a season best.

Lynch scored a off a layup and then added a three in the first 1:05 if the second half, but VSU took its final lead off a 7-0 run and never let it go.

The Lakers got within one with just over 16 minutes left, but the Blazers slowly built their lead and would take the 13-point win.

Last season, VSU advanced to the NCAA Tournament. This season, the Lakers have played two ranked opponents and all three of their opponents were in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Ricardo Saams Jr. added 14 points and eight rebounds while Lynch scored 11.

Up Next:
- Clayton State is back in action on Friday and Saturday with the Clayton State Classic. The Lakers face Clark Atlanta on Friday before hosting Tuskegee on Saturday.


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