MORROW, Ga. – To conclude its homestand, the Clayton State Men's basketball team hosted the Tigers of Savannah State University on Saturday afternoon at the Loch.  The Lakers earned their first win of the season defeating Savannah State, 62-49.
 
The Lakers saw Travis Harper II score the first six points of the game and opened the game leading 6-0.  Harper II drained a three and a trio of free-throws.  Later in the half, the Tigers closed the gap to three at 13-10 until Wes Williams knocked down a three-pointer and Ricardo Saams Jr. made a layup, making the score, 18-12.  With 8:18 left in the half, the Lakers went on a 11-4 run and made the score, 31-20.  Christian Chambers rattled in a three and Jalen Shaw made an emphatic dunk during that run. 
 
Shaw tossed in the final three points of the half for the Lakers, and they went into the halftime break up, 34-24.  Shaw and Chambers led the team with seven points, apiece.  Shaw grabbed six rebounds as well.  The Lakers did not allow a three-pointer and held the Tigers to 36% shooting.
 
Halftime: Clayton State 34, Savannah State 24
 
Saams Jr. gave the Lakers a 12-point lead at 36-34 to start the second half.  However, the Tigers started the half on a 12-4 run and closed the gap to, two at 38-36.  Xavier Joyner broke up that run with a jumper making the score 40-36.  Halfway through the second half, the Lakers distanced themselves from the Tigers as a three-point by Kobie Johnson and a pair of layups by Chambers extended the Lakers' lead to 47-39. 
 
The Tigers closed the gap to a 51-48 with four minutes left but the Lakers knocked in 11 of the final 12 points and won their first game of the season, 62-49. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 62, Savannah State 49
Records: Clayton State: 1-6 | Savannah State: 3-3 (1-1 SIAC)
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Shaw led the Lakers with his third double-double of the season scoring 14 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and added seven blocks and five assists.
• Chambers followed with 16 points
• Saams Jr. notched three blocks and three steals.
• Williams followed Shaw with five boards.
• The Lakers allowed the fewest points in a win since 11/22/2014 when they gave up 39 points to Belmont Abbey
• The Lakers held the Tigers to 33.3% shooting from the floor and 1-for-6 from behind the arc. 

 
HISTORY MADE
With the win, head coach Vince Alexander earned his 350^th career victory!


 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers venture into Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play as they travel across the Savannah River into the Palmetto State as they play the Pacers of USC Aiken on Saturday, December 10^th.  Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.