AIKEN, S. C. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team opened Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play in the Palmetto State as they faced the Pacers of USC Aiken on Saturday afternoon.  The Lakers were down by as much as 19 points in the second half, but their comeback fell short and dropped an 83-79 decision.    
 
Ricardo Saams Jr. scored six of the first eight points for the Lakers to open the first half.  However, the Pacers took the early advantage, 11-8. After Christian Chambers made a jumper and made the score 11-10, USC Aiken went on a 7-1 run and made the score, 18-11.  Then, baskets by Brian Coffey II and Wes Williams pulled the Lakers within three at 18-15.  At the score 24-17, Williams, Chambers, and Coffey II all made baskets and made the score, 28-23.  Then, Jalen Shaw put down an emphatic dunk and made a jumper as the Lakers closed the gap to one at 28-27, with 5:20 left. With the same score of 28-27, the Pacers went on a 10-2 run and extended their lead to 38-29.
 
The Lakers then ended the half tossing in the final six points of the half, but the Pacers held onto a 42-37 lead going into the break. Saams Jr. led the team with 10 points and Shaw followed with seven points and seven boards.  The Lakers were unable to make a three-pointer in the first half.   
 
Halftime: USC Aiken 42, Clayton State 37
 
The Pacers supplied the early offense and opened the second half on a 14-4 run, which made the score 56-41.  Shaw tossed in four points for the Lakers during that stretch.  Saams Jr. ended that run with a layup.  At the score, 58-45, USC Aiken kept putting their foot on the gas and scored the next six points and pulled out in front, 64-45.  At the score 66-47, the Lakers returned the favor and went on an 11-2 run and decreased the Aiken lead to 10 at 68-58.  After an Aiken layup, Chambers made a three and a jumper to cut the lead to seven at 70-63. With Aiken up 76-65, the Lakers went on a 9-2 run and pulled within four at 78-74 with two minutes left in the game. 
 
With under 30 seconds left, Coffey II made a jumper and Williams drained a three making the score, 81-79.  The Pacers, ultimately, made their free throws down the stretch as they halted the Laker comeback winning, 83-79. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: USC Aiken 83, Clayton State 79
Records: USC Aiken: 6-3 (1-0 PBC) | Clayton State: 1-7 (0-1 PBC)
Location: USC Aiken Convocation Center | USC Aiken | Aiken, S.C.
 
QUICK HITS

• Saams Jr. led the Lakers with 22 points and added seven boards.
• Shaw and Chambers followed with 19 and 15 points, respectively. 
• Shaw led the Lakers with nine boards. 
• Williams and Chambers both drained a three in the game.
• The Lakers outscored the Pacers in the paint, 44-42. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers continue their road trip as they travel down the Sunshine State and play in the Florida Tech Holiday Tournament on Sunday, December 18^th through Monday, December 19^th.  The Lakers tipoff on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. playing Lynn, while the Lakers tipoff on Monday at 6 p.m. playing the tournament host Florida Tech. 
 
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