MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team downed inter-city foe Morehouse College, 83-76, inside the Loch on the day before Thanksgiving.
 
Morehouse jumped out to an early 19-8 lead in the first seven minutes of the game.  Tyler Shirley knocked down a pair of threes and Aaron Pitts made a pair of free throws during that stretch.  The Lakers then started to close the gap on the Maroon Tigers.  At the score, 23-10, a jumper by Keandre Bowles sparked a 9-2 run and made the score 25-19.  Marcus Harris made a pair of jumpers during that run.  Down by six with four minutes left, Shirley caught fire as he accounted for the next 10 points for Clayton State as they took the lead at 33-31.  Wes Williams nailed a three and pushed the lead to five at 36-31. 
 
The Lakers were on top of the Maroon Tigers, 36-33, at the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 36, Morehouse 33
 
Travis Harper II came out of the locker room and provided the early offense for the Lakers at the start of the half as they pushed the lead to seven at 40-33.  At 40-36, Williams and Harper II knocked down three-balls and moved the score to 46-37.  The Lakers maintained control of the second half as they led 60-50 with 10 minutes left.  Jamall Clyce and Harris buried field goals for the Lakers during that stretch.  The Maroon Tigers closed the gap to six at 70-64 with four minutes left but the Lakers always had an answer. 
 
Elijah Dates, Harris, Shirley, and Harper II all put ticked the twine in the final four minutes of the game as the Lakers started off their Thanksgiving off right as they beat Morehouse, 83-76. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 83, Morehouse 76
Records: Clayton State: 2-2 | Morehouse: 2-3
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Shirley led the Lakers with 20 points and shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. 
• Harper II followed with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. 
• Harper II and Clyce led the Lakers with six rebounds. 
• The Lakers forced 19 turnovers and scored 27 points off those turnovers. 
• This is the first meeting between Morehouse and Clayton State since 2001. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers close out their homestand as they welcome another inter-city foe into the Loch as they host Clark Atlanta University on Wednesday, November 29^th.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  Be sure to check out the women's baskeball team as they play the Panthers at 5:30 p.m. the same evening. 
 
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.