DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Clayton State University women's basketball team fell 83-66 to Tusculum University in the final game of the UNG Classic on Saturday afternoon. 
 
Deborrah Redmon scored the game's first basket on the Lakers first offensive possession to start the first quarter.  That basket sparked a 7-0 run to start the game.  Jadah Waite hit a three-ball during that stretch.  After a three by the Pioneers, the Lakers continued their hot start as Waite and Nina Blade added points and made the score 11-3.  The Pioneers then ended the quarter on a 13-2 run and took a 20-15 lead going into the second quarter. 
 
Devyne Turner started the second quarter with a three-pointer and cut the Pioneer lead to 20-18.  At the score, 27-22, Zoe Wiltz converted a four-point play and made the score 27-26.  The Lakers eventually tied the score at 31 with 3:20 left in the quarter after baskets by Wiltz and Waite.  However, Tusculum ended the half on an 8-2 run and took a 42-25 lead going into the halftime break.
 
Halftime: Tusculum 42, Clayton State 35
 
The Lakers saw offensive production from Blade to start the third quarter as she marked the first four points.  The Pioneers still lead, 42-39.  After Tusculum scored the next four points, the Lakers went on a 6-2 run and pulled within three at 48-45.  Jasmyn Burts tallied a pair of field goals.  With five minutes left, the Pioneers tallied a pair of three-pointers and extended their lead to nine at 54-45.  Blade scored the final bucket of the quarter for the Lakers, but they still trailed 62-51 going into the final quarter of play.  Burts and Waite provided the early offense for the Lakers in the fourth quarter and closed the gap to seven at 65-60.  Waite drilled a three-pointer during that stretch.  The Pioneers then went on a 9-2 run and jumped out to a 74-62 lead. 
 
The Pioneers pulled away in the final four minutes of the game and handed the Lakers a 83-66 loss. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Tusculum 83, Clayton State 66
Records: Tusculum: 1-1 | Clayton State: 0-4
Location: UNG Convocation Center | The University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Blade led the Lakers with 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting.
• Burts led the Lakers with seven boards while Blade and Aaliyah Reid followed with six.
• Waite followed Blade with 11 points.
•  The Lakers shot 90% from the free throw line (10-of-11)

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers continued their road-trip as they travel to play Valdosta State on Tuesday, November 21^st.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.
 
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