GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team dropped a 80-55 decision against the Lander University Bearcats on Monday afternoon. 
 
The Bearcats started the first half scoring 12 of the first 15 points and led 12-3.  Travis Harper II nailed a three-pointer for the Lakers during that run.  The Lakers used a spark by Dudley Blackwell to cut into their deficit as he led a 7-0 run and made the score 12-10.  With eight minutes left in the first half, Blackwell scored another five points and made the score 22-19. 
 
The Bearcats ended the first half on a 16-2 run and took a 38-21 lead going into the halftime break.
 
Halftime: Lander 38, Clayton State 21
 
Brian Coffey II, Wes Williams, and Harper II all marked field goals to open the second half as the Lakers closed the gap to 40-27.  After Coffey II buried a layup and made the score 48-32, the Bearcats continued to control the tempo of the game and they scored the next 10 points and made the score, 58-32. With the score at 63-36, Harper II tossed in the next six Laker points and sparked an 11-5 run and made the score 67-47.  Blackwell also downed a three-pointer during that run. 
 
The Bearcats controlled the game throughout and handed the Lakers an 80-55 loss. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Lander 80, Clayton State 55
Record: Lander: 12-4 (4-2 PBC) | Clayton State: 2-13 (0-5 PBC)
Location: Horne Arena | Lander University | Greenwood, S.C.
 
QUICK HITS

• Harper II led the Lakers with 16 points.
• In his first game of the season, Blackwell followed with 14 points off the bench.
• Coffey II tossed in 15 points.
• Williams led the Lakers with nine rebounds. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers welcome the Pacers of USC Aiken to the Loch on Wednesday, January 18^th.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday's game is Student Appreciation Night.  The first 100 students in attendance receive a free T-shirt!
 
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