LAKELAND, Fla. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team opened play in the Century Retail Christmas Classic on Saturday evening as they drew the Barry University Buccaneers out of the Sunshine States Conference.  Despite posting a season-high in points and field goals, the Lakers fell, 107-96. 
 
The Buccaneers got off to a hot start to the game as they jumped out to a quick, 12-2 lead.  A three pointer by Wes Williams and a layup by Baqi Lecky halted the Barry run.  After TJ Stargell hit a jumper making the score, 17-9, Barry went on a 15-2 run and led by 21 at 32-11.  The Lakers then saw Travis Harper II, Kennedy Brown, and Aaron Pitts knock down baskets and moved the score to 42-26 with 3:30 left.
 
Tyler Shirley scored five of the final seven points for the Lakers in the half but trailed Barry, 47-33 going into the halftime break.
 
Halftime: Barry 47, Clayton State 33
 
The Lakers got off to a good start as Harper II converted a four-point play and Pitts slammed home a dunk and cut the Buccaneer lead to 47-39.  That led to the Lakers to score seven of the next 10 points, but Barry led, 54-46.  At 61-47, the Lakers cut the game to four as they went on a 10-0 run and made the score 61-57.  Keandre Bowles scored five points including converting a three-point play and Williams drilled in one of his four three-pointers.  After Barry extended their lead to as much as 12, Stargell and Harper II made field goals as the score moved to 80-73 with eight minutes left. 
 
With four left, and after Harper II and Stargell knocked down three's, the Buccaneers hit three-straight from beyond the arc and led 99-83 with 2:25 left.  Williams and Harper II both knocked down threes in the final few minutes of the game, but Barry went on to top the Lakers, 107-96. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Barry 107, Clayton State 96
Records: Barry: 6-3 | Clayton State: 3-5
Location: Jenkins Fieldhouse | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, Fla.
 
QUICK HITS

• The Lakers were led by Harper II who scored 25 points and added five boards.
• Pitts, Williams, and Stargell followed with 16, 15, and 14 points, respectively. 
• Shirley and Pitts led the team with six boards.  Pitts also led the team with six assists
• 11 three-pointers ties a season-high for the most threes in a single game.
• 96 is the most points scored since the Lakers scored 98 against Florida Southern last November. 
• 38 field goals is a new season-high for the most field goals in a single-game for the Lakers. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude play at the Retail Century Christmas Classic as they play the host school Florida Southern College on Sunday, December 17^th at 7:30 p.m.
 
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