LAKELAND, Fla. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team finished the Century Leasing Christmas Classic with a 97-75 setback against Florida Southern College on Sunday evening.  Keandre Bowles led the Lakers with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. 
 
 
Early in the first half, Travis Harper II and Tyler Shirley produced the offense for the Lakers as they pushed out to a 7-6 lead.  At the score, 14-9, the Lakers got within two points at 16-14 after Harper II, Bowles, and Shirley scored points for the Lakers.  The Mocs then went on a 14-4 run and led, 30-18.  Bowles then scored the next seven points for Clayton State and closed the gap to 35-25 with 6:30 left. 
 
 
After Aaron Pitts and Harper II made free throws moving the score to 41-31, Florida Southern continued to put the pressure on the Laker defense as they finished the half on a 13-4 run and took a 54-35 lead going into the half.
 
Halftime: Florida Southern 54, Clayton State 35
 
Shirley gave the Lakers an early boost of offensive production to start the second half as he accounted for the first four points, and they closed the gap to 54-39.  Then, Florida Southern recorded 10 of the next 11 points and went up by 24 at 64-40.  The Lakers then scored the next six points which included dunks by Mohamad Diallo and Bowles.  The Mocs led 64-46.  FSC continued to pour on as they followed up with a 12-2 run until Wes Williams hit a layup and made the score, 76-50.  With nine minutes left, the Lakers kept fighting as Williams' three and an and-one opportunity by Harper II made the score, 81-56. 
 
Diallo, Bowles, and Shirley all scored points down the stretch, but Florida Southern's offense proved too much for the Lakers and they won 97-75.
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Florida Southern 97, Clayton State 75
Records: Florida Southern: 9-3 | Clayton State: 3-6
Location: Jenkins Fieldhouse | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, Fla.
 
QUICK HITS

• Bowles led the Lakers with a season-high 24 points and went 6-for-8 from the free throw line. 
• Shirley followed with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He also led the team with eight boards.
• Harper II and Diallo rounded out the double-figure scorers with 16 and 10, respectively. 
• The Lakers struggled from beyond the arc as they only hit a pair of threes the entire game.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers continue their road trip as they concluded non-conference action against Albany State on Saturday, December 30^th.  Tipoff in Albany, Ga. is set for 3 p.m.

 
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