ALBANY, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team closed 2023 and its non-conference slate with a convincing, 73-49 win over Albany State University on Saturday afternoon.  Nine of the ten Lakers who saw action scored at least four points.
 
The Lakers got off to a good start in the first half as they jumped on the Golden Rams early.  A three by Travis Harper II and field goals by TJ Stargell and Tyler Shirley made the score, 8-0. Later in the half, Albany State got within two at 18-16, but Elijah Dates knocked down a three and Jamall Clyce added a free throw and put the Lakers back up 22-16 with 4:30 left.  With 2:16 left and with the Lakers up 23-21, A jumper by Kennedy Brown sparked a 5-0 run to end the half and made the score 28-21 going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 28, Albany State 21
 
Eddie Page, who is making his first start of the season, gave the Lakers the early offensive spark to start the second half.  The Laker sophomore scored five of the first nine points in the half and Clayton State extended their lead to 37-23.  The Lakers continued their strong second half as they distanced themselves from the Golden Rams.  At 37-26, the Lakers went on a 13-4 run and made the score 50-30.  Christian Chambers and Mohamad Diallo, among others, scored on that run. 
 
The Lakers continued the offensive onslaught in the second half scoring 45 points as they went on to defeat Albany State, 73-49.  Stargell, Page, Brown, Dates, Chambers, and Clyce all scored in the final 10 minutes of the game. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 73, Albany State 49
Records: Clayton State: 4-6 | Albany State: 5-7
Location: The Arena at West Campus | Albany State University | Albany, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Brown led the Lakers with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting.  13 points is a career-best for Kennedy.
• Shirley, Harper II, and Clyce all followed Brown with nine points.
• Harper II and Clyce led the Lakers with eight boards.
• The Lakers outrebounded the Golden Rams, 43-26. 
• The Lakers shot 50% from the field including Page going 3-for-3 and Chambers going 4-for-6.
• The Lakers have won six in a row over Albany State dating back to 2002. 
• 49 is the fewest points surrendered by the Lakers since December 3^rd, 2022, against Savannah State.  That game was also Coach Vince Alexander's 350^th career victory.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers open Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play as they conclude their lengthy road-trip up in Dahlonega as they play the nationally ranked Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia.  Tipoff on Wednesday, January 3^rd is set for 7:30 p.m.

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