MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Clayton State University women's basketball concluded play at the Florida Tech Holiday Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.  The Lakers dropped the final game to Florida Tech, 72-57.
 
The Panthers held the Lakers to 10 points in the first quarter as Jada Alston, Nina Blade, Sariya Henry, and Jadah Waite provided the offense.  Florida Tech jumped out in front, 24-10, after one quarter of play.  The Panthers jumped on the Lakers early in the second quarter as they extended their lead to 27-10 until Henry hit the first six points of the quarter.  Florida Tech still led, 32-16.  The Lakers tried to claw back into the game when they went on a 8-0 run and closed the gap to 32-22 with three minutes left in the half. 
However, the Panthers scored eight of the final 10 points and took a 40-24 lead going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Florida Tech 40, Clayton State 24
 
Waite, Blade, and Jasmyn Burts provided the early offense in the third quarter as the Lakers got within 11 at 42-31.  Burts converted an and-one opportunity for the Lakers during that stretch.  Florida Tech then went on a 10-2 run and the Lakers fell behind, 52-33.  Free throws by Tamaria White and Hannah Wright halted the run for the Lakers.  Clayton State failed to score in the final 2:30 in the quarter and trailed 63-40 going into the final quarter.  Waite started the fourth quarter and nailed a jumper and a three-pointer making the score 65-45.  Neither team could find the bottom of the net in most of the quarter as both teams struggled from the field until the Lakers made one final push at the end of the game. 
 
Waite and Alston combined for the final eight points of the game for the Lakers.  Despite holding the Panthers scoreless in the final three minutes of the game, they still ended up defeating the Lakers, 72-57. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Florida Tech 72, Clayton State 57
Records: Florida Tech: 5-9 | Clayton State: 2-7
Location: Clemente Center | Florida Tech | Melbourne, Fla.
 
QUICK HITS

• Waite led the Lakers with 15 points.  Jadah has scored in double figures in all nine games for the Lakers this season.
• Alston and Blade followed Waite with 10 points apiece.
• Alston led the Lakers with seven boards while Henry followed with six.
• The Lakers forced 26 turnovers that led to 19 points.
• The Lakers hot 80% from the free throw line (12-for-15)

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers open Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play as they travel to Dahlonega, Ga. to play nationally ranked North Georgia on Wednesday, January 3^rd at 5:30 p.m.  The Lakers then return home to play USC Beaufort on Saturday, January 6^th at 1:30 p.m.
 
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