JEFFERSON, CITY, Tenn. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team fell to Carson-Newman, 108-81, inside Holt Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.  The Lakers saw four double-digit scorers, three of which came off the bench.
 
The two teams started the first half trading blow-for-blow for the first 10 minutes and Carson-Newman found themselves up, 21-20.  Tyler Shirley scored 10 of those 21 points. Keandre Bowles, Kennedy Brown, Baqi Lecky, and Jamal Clyce also contributed points for the Lakers.  Then, the Eagles opened the game wide open as they went on a 13-2 run and went up, 33-22.  Baskets by Shirley and Bowles closed the gap to seven at 33-26.  With five minutes left, C-N went on a 14-6 run and made the score, 49-36. Christian Chambers knocked down four free throws for Clayton State. 
 
Aaron Pitts and Brown put in points for the Lakers in the final minute but Carson-Newman led, 53-41 at the half. 
 
Halftime: Carson-Newman 53, Clayton State 41
 
The second half saw Carson-Newman score the first 20 points of the half and kept the Lakers scoreless through the first 4:30 minutes.  They grew their lead to 73-41.  Shirley then made a free throw and a jumper ending the lengthy scoring drought for the Lakers.  At the score 78-46, Shirley added to his impressive afternoon as he knocked down a pair of threes and made the score, 81-52.  Those were the first two three-pointers made by the Lakers in the game.  They would make only one more three the entire game which came off the hands of Kenneth Brayboy with nine minutes left in the game.  Bowles, Eddie Page, Mohamad Diallo, Chambers, and Brown all had points down the stretch for the Lakers. 
 
The Lakers never really were able to cut into the Carson-Newman lead as they dropped their second straight falling, 108-81. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Carson-Newman 108, Clayton State 81
Records: Carson-Newman: 5-1 | Clayton State: 2-4
Location: Hold Fieldhouse | Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City, Tenn.
 
QUICK HITS

• Shirley led the Lakers with 23 points and marked his second 20-point game of the season. 
• Chambers followed Shirley as he came off the bench and scored 17 points and shot 9-for-10 from the free throw line.  Nine free throws is tied for the ninth most free throws in a single game in program history. 
• Bowles and Brown rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 and 11 points each. 
• Bowles led the Lakers with six rebounds. 
• The Lakers shot 84% from the free throw line including going 9-for-9 in the first half. 
• 108 points is the most points given up since January 25^th, 2023 when they allowed 112 points against Flagler College. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers return to the Peach State as they play Fort Valley State University on Tuesday, December 12^th.  Tipoff from Fort Valley, Ga. is slated for 7 p.m.  These two teams have not played since 1998.  The Lakers have the upper hand of the last two meetings. 
 
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