NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Clayton State 56 – Delta State 52
Records: Lakers (3-0, 0-0 PBC) – Lady Statesmen (1-3, 0-0 GSC)
All-Time Series: Tied at 2-2
 
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Clayton State women's basketball team won its fourth-straight game to start the season after defeating Delta State 56-52 in Saturday's Nighthawk Classic.
 
The Lakers found themselves in another tough battle and trailed by four after three quarters. But a strong fourth quarter, which has become a habit for the Kaleena Coleman '06 led team, pushed Clayton State over the edge to take the win.
 
Audrey McElhaney had a game-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds.
 
The first quarter was a low-scoring affair as the two teams tied 10-10 after the first 10 minutes. Neither team led by more than four points.
 
The second quarter mirrored the first with the lead changing several times, but the Lady Statesmen used a 9-0 run to lead by eight with 1:07 left to play. The Lakers responded with five points before a Delta State free throw made the score 28-24 just before halftime.
 
Delta State held the lead throughout the quarter, but the Lakers tied the score, 37-37, with a little over two minutes left but trailed by four going into the final quarter.
 
An and-1 by McElaheny at 8:19 gave the Lakers the lead, but Delta State quickly grabbed it back and held it until the 4:31 mark after Diamond Swift hit two free throws.
 
Clayton State held the lead for the remainder of the game but was unable to put it out of reach as Delta State kept the deficit under five.
 
Jadah Waite added 11 points, three assists and two steals while Timi'a Swanson chipped in with nine points and five boards.
 

Up Next:
- Clayton State makes its home debut on Tuesday with a battle against Carson-Newman. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.

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