GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team opened its 2022-23 campaign at the SAC/PBC Challenge on the campus of Tusculum University on Friday.  The Lakers played the No. 6 Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial and fell, 97-74. 
 
A free throw by Bryce Weinmunson and a three-ball by Travis Harper II kicked off the scoring for the Lakers as they found themselves tied at four early in the first half.  Later in the half, with Lincoln Memorial up 11-7 lead, a layup by Christian Chambers and a dunk by Ricardo Saams Jr. tied the game at 11.  The Railsplitters then nailed a three and made the score 14-11.  In the next time down the court for the Lakers, Kobie Johnson drained a three and tied the game at 14 with 14 minutes left in the half.  Lincoln Memorial then went on to score 17 of the next 20 points and pulled in front, 31-17. 
 
Weinmunson and Johnson all made three-balls down the stretch but that was not enough as Lincoln Memorial took a 51-35 lead going into the half.  Johnson led the Lakers with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting.  Harper II, Chambers, and Saams Jr. followed with five points, apiece. 
 
Halftime: No. 6 Lincoln Memorial 51, Clayton State 35
 
The Lakers came out of the locker room in the second half with a dunk by Chambers and a layup by Saams Jr. as they cut the Railsplitter lead to 51-39.  Lincoln Memorial then dropped in nine of the next 11 points and took a 20-point lead at 62-42.  The Lakers tried to hang in there with one of the best teams in the nation and went on a mini run halfway through the half.  At the score 79-46, Brian Coffey II sparked a 10-2 run and cut the deficit to 81-56. 
 
The Lakers saw buckets from Johnson, Saams Jr., Harper II, and Chambers down the stretch but the Railsplitters were ultimately too much for the Lakers and won the game, 97-74. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: No. 6 Lincoln Memorial 97, Clayton State 74
Records: No. 6 Lincoln Memorial: 2-1 | Clayton State: 0-1
Location: Pioneer Arena | Tusculum University | Greeneville, Tenn.
 
QUICK HITS

• Chambers led the Lakers with 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting
• Saams Jr. followed with 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
• Johnson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points
• Weinmunson led the Lakers with three assists

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude play at the SAC/PBC Challenge as they play the host school Tusculum University on Saturday, November 12^th.  Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.

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