MORROW, Ga, -- The Clayton State University men's basketball team concluded 2022 and closed out their non-conference slate as they hosted the Panthers of Claflin University on Saturday.  The Lakers pushed the Panthers to overtime but ultimately fell, 85-84. 
 
The Panthers got off to a hot start in the first half, but the Lakers then countered. Wes Williams dropped in a three and Baqi Lecky dunked one home as the Lakers took an early 5-4 lead.  The Lakers then found themselves down 15-10 but Bryce Weinmunson, Travis Harper II, and Christian Chambers combined for the next six points and they took the lead at 16-15.  After the Panthers made a jumper, Brian Coffey II and Kobie Johnson hit threes and Clayton State opened a 22-18 lead.  At 24-22, Lakers, Claflin went on a 11-1 run and made the score, 33-25.
 
Coffey II drained a pair of field goals in the closing seconds of the first half, but the Panthers took a 33-29 lead going into the break. 
 
Halftime: Claflin 33, Clayton State 29    
 
After Claflin kicked off the second half marking the first five points, Chambers made a three and Lecky converted an and-one opportunity and made a jumper and closed the gap to 38-37.  In the halfway point of the half, Claflin enjoyed their biggest lead at nine points until the Lakers inched closer. At the score 61-52, Johnson made a three-ball and a jumper to make the score, 61-57.  After the Panthers took a six-point lead at 63-57, The Lakers deadlocked the game at 63 when Johnson, Ricardo Saams Jr., and Chambers all made shots. 
 
With a minute left in regulation and down by three, the Lakers saw Chambers and Saams Jr. swoosh through four straight free throws which made the score, 72-71.  In the closing seconds and with the Panthers up two, Chambers' jumper forces overtime as the two teams were tied at 74 at the end of 40 minutes. 
 
The Lakers took over at the beginning of the overtime period as Coffey II and Saams Jr. both made field goals.  However, the Panthers came back and buried a three-point with a minute left and made the score 81-80.  Claflin eventually took a four-point lead in the final seconds of the game after they made their final two free throws. 
 
Williams dropped in a three with a second on the clock, but the Lakers fell 85-84. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final/OT: Claflin 85, Clayton State 84
Records: Claflin: 10-1 | Clayton State: 2-9
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Chambers picked up a double-double with 19 points and 11 boards.
• Saams Jr. followed with 10 rebounds of his own.
• Coffey II and Johnson followed Chambers with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
• As a team, the Lakers grabbed 45 boards and forced 18 Panther turnovers.
• Clayton State marked 12 offensive boards.
• Clayton State scored 26 points off turnovers and scored 36 points off the fastbreak 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers host the Mountain Lions of Young Harris College to open their conference home schedule.  Tipoff from the Loch is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4^th.

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