NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Clayton State 68 – Columbus State 78
Records: Lakers (6-4, 0-2 PBC) – Cougars (8-5, 1-2 PBC)
All-Time Series: Columbus State leads 33-25

COLUMBUS, Ga.  – Despite a second-straight 30-point game from Audrey McElhaney, the Clayton State women's basketball team fell 78-68 to Columbus State in a Saturday Peach Belt Conference matchup. 

The loss is the second-straight conference defeat for the Lakers who had several players return from COVID protocols at the end of the week. McElhaney played a game-high 37 minutes as nine Lakers suited up for the contest. 

A Columbus State tech was called prior to the game beginning and gave the Lakers a 1-0 lead after Devyne Turner knocked down the free throw. The Cougars then opened the game with a 7-0 run and led 13-5 just halfway through the first quarter. 

The Lakers however tied the game at 16-16 with 2:19 left and pulled ahead 22-21 with 45 seconds remaining. Columbus State would then knock down a 3-pointer in the closing seconds to lead 24-22 after one. 

The next 10 minutes were low scoring as neither team made a basket until the 8:05 mark when the Cougars drained a 3-pointer. The Lakers drew even at 27-27, but Columbus State regained the lead and led 38-34 at halftime. 

Over the last four games, McElhaney has average 26.4 points and 9.2 rebounds. She now sits fourth in the league in scoring average. 

Timi'a Swanson added an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double while recording four assists. 

Columbus State pulled away in the third and outscored Clayton State by eight leaving the deficit at 12 points heading into the fourth quarter. 

Both teams played back and forth throughout the fourth until a Swanson 3-pointer cut the Cougar lead to five with 2:15 remaining. Columbus State quickly built its lead back up, closing the game with a 7-2 run. 

Raven Riley added nine points and five rebounds. 
 
Up Next:
- Clayton State hosts North Georgia on Wednesday for it conference home opener. Tip is slated for 5:30 p.m. 
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