MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team dropped its home opener to the Mocs of Florida Southern College, 100-98.  The Lakers were down by as much as 23 in the second half. 
 
The Mocs started the first half on a 13-3 run until Brian Coffey II nailed a three-pointer which made the score, 13-6.  The two teams then traded the baskets in the next couple of possessions and made the score 17-11.  Christian Chambers and Ricardo Saams Jr. both hit field goals.  With 10 minutes to go, Wes Williams and Kobie Johnson both drained threes and made the score, 32-21.  After Chambers made a three-point basket and made the score, 34-27, Florida Southern went on a 10-0 run and made the score, 44-27.  The Lakers broke that run with two free throws by Saams Jr.
 
In the final 2:30 of the half, Travis Harper II and Coffey II both contributed buckets but the Mocs took a 60-46 lead going into the half. 
 
Halftime: Florida Southern 60, Clayton State 46
 
Florida Southern came out of the locker room on fire as they marked the first nine points of the half until Saams Jr. jacked up a jumper.  The Mocs extended their lead to 69-48.  With the score 75-54, the Lakers started to make their comeback.  Xavier Joyner sparked a 13-2 run and cut the deficit to 77-67.  With 3:16 left in the game, a jumper by Saams Jr., a three-ball by Coffey II, and a field goal by Johnson pulled the Lakers within two at 95-93. 
 
The Lakers then tied the game at 96 with 1:19 left in the game as Johnson nailed down a three.  The Mocs scored four of the final six points as they held off the Lakers, 100-98.
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Florida Southern 100, Clayton State 98
Records: Florida Southern: 3-0 | Clayton State: 0-3
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Johnson led all Laker scorers with 21 points.
• Joyner came off the bench in his season debut and scored 18 points on a perfect 8-for-8 shooting.
• Coffey II and Saams Jr. rounded out the double-figures scorers with 16 and 12 points, respectively. 
• Saams Jr. led the team with eight rebounds while Baqi Lecky followed with six boards. 
• Coffey II and Johnson led the Lakers with six assists. 
• The Lakers outscored the Mocs, 47-18, off the bench.
• Clayton State shot 60.9% from behind the arc and 54.4% from the field. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers continue its homestand as they host Emmanuel College, Georgia College and State, and Newberry College in the Clayton State Classic on Saturday, November 19 through Sunday, November 20^th.  The Lakers play Emmanuel on Saturday and Newberry on Sunday.  Both games tipoff at 3 p.m.
 
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