NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Clayton State 68 – No. 10 Lander 79
Records: Lakers (6-6, 0-4 PBC) – Bearcats (12-2, 4-1 PBC)
All-Time Series: Lander Leads 21-20
 
GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Clayton State women's basketball team dropped its second-straight ranked conference matchup with a 79-68 loss at No. 10 Lander University Saturday afternoon. 

The Lakers entered Saturday's contest with a three-game losing streak as the second-half of the season has been burdened with injuries and COVID protocols. On Wednesday, Clayton State played host to No. 11 North Georgia.  

Lander jumped out to a quick start, leading 8-2 early in the quarter. The Lakers would pull within four points at the 5:26 mark, but Lander responded with a 15-3 run to close out the first. 

Raven Riley led Clayton State with 15 points and nine rebounds, both season-bests for the sophomore. 

The second half went more the Lakers way as they used a 10-4 run to pull within 10 points. Lander managed the double-digit advantage and led 39-27 at halftime. 

Clayton State again outscored the Bearcats in the third and used nine points in the final minute to trail by eight with just the fourth quarter to go. 

Audrey McElhaney added 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. 

The Bearcats opened with four quick points to pull back ahead by 12 points and managed to keep the lead between 10-16 points until the final minute when a pair of Timi'a Swanson free throws made it a nine point game. 

Time then ran out on Clayton State as Lander sank two free throws with 17 seconds left to ice the game. 

Devyne Turner added 10 points and five rebounds. 
 
Up Next:
- Clayton State is back on the road on Wednesday with conference matchup at USC Aiken. 
 
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