MORROW, Ga. – Ricardo Saams Jr. scored his 1,000^th career point as the Clayton State University men's basketball team dropped a 75-71 decision to Georgia Southwestern State University on Wednesday evening. 
 
Kobie Johnson and Wes Williams hit field goals to start the game as they led 4-1, early.  The two teams traded blows throughout the first half.  At the score 9-8, Hurricanes, Brian Coffey II and Saams Jr. both drained jumpers.  The Lakers led 12-9.  After Baqi Lecky tossed in a layup, making the score 26-24, Georgia Southwestern went on an 11-0 run and extended their lead to 37-24. 
 
Saams Jr. scored five of the final seven points, but the Hurricanes led 42-31 going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Ga. Southwestern 42, Clayton State 31
 
Travis Harper II scored the first four points for the Lakers in the second half as he buried a jumper and put home a thunderous dunk.  The Lakers crept closer to the Hurricanes, 42-35.  After Saams Jr. hit a layup, making the score 46-37, Georgia Southwestern went on a 6-0 run and grew its lead to 52-37.  A three by Coffey II and a jumper by Saams Jr. stalled the momentum for the Hurricanes.  Later in the second, the Lakers mounted a comeback on the Hurricanes.  At the score 68-55, Xavier Joyner dropped in a pair of threes and Harper II nailed a layup and made the score, 70-63.  The Lakers continued to grab the momentum and cut the game to a one-point game at 70-69.  Johnson, Saams Jr., and Harper II all had baskets.
 
The Hurricanes made five of their last six free throws and held on to down the Lakers 75-71. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Ga. Southwestern 75, Clayton State 71
Records: Ga. Southwestern: 10-10 (3-8 PBC) | Clayton State: 2-18 (0-10 PBC)
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Saams Jr. becomes the 7^th Laker to score 1,000 career points as he led the team with 20 points and nine boards.
• Coffey II dropped in 14 points and Joyner added 11 points.
• Dudley Blackwell and Harper II followed Saams Jr. with five boards. 
• Johnson led the Lakers with six assists.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers travel into the mountains of North Georgia as they play the Mountain Lions of Young Harris College on Saturday, February 4^th.  Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
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