MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University women's basketball team controlled the tempo of the entire game and blew past Columbus State University, 82-62, on Homecoming Saturday at the Loch. 
 
The Lakers got off to a quick start in the first quarter as they scored the first 15 points.  Audrey McElhaney had a monster quarter dropping in 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds.  The Cougars did not score in the first five minutes.  The Lakers controlled the pace the duration of the quarter and led 27-12.
 
Points were hard to come by in the beginning of the second quarter as there was not a field goal scored until Taniya Patrick drained a jumper with 6:25 left in the half.  The Cougars then rattled off six straight points and cut the Laker lead to 31-20. The Lakers continued to pressure the Couguars throughout as they took a 41-28 lead going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 41, Columbus State 28
 
Jada Francois Lubin kicked off the scoring for the Lakers in the third quarter making the score 43-28.  The Cougars then tried to cut into their deficit scoring the next five points until Davis buried a three.  Clayton State extended its lead to 46-33.  With six minutes left, the Lakers went on a 6-0 run and ballooned their lead to 52-35.  With 3:50 left, a Jordan Jones jumper sparked a 9-3 run and made the score 61-41.  Clayton State went into the fourth quarter up 66-49.  Jones hit a three in the final seconds of the quarter. 
 
The Lakers got early production from I'Uana Slaughter, McElhaney, and Patrick to kickoff the fourth quarter.  Clayton State led 72-51.  With 3:30 left in the game, Slaughter continued her strong fourth quarter as she nailed a three and tossed in a jumper making the score 81-62. 
 
The Lakers went wire-to-wire and defeated Columbus State, 82-62. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 82, Columbus State 62
Records: Clayton State: 13-10 (8-6 PBC) | Columbus State: 14-8 (8-6 PBC)
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• McElhaney dropped in a game-high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting. 
• McElhaney grabbed 11 boards to complete her double-double. 
• Slaughter followed with 13 points and Jones contributed 12 points.
• Jones grabbed a game-high 12 boards to complete her double-double.
• The Lakers outscored the Cougars, 46-26, in the paint and 35-15 on the bench.
• Clayton State had 26 second-chance points.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude their home schedule on Wednesday, February 15^th as they host the Saints of Flagler for Senior Night.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. In addition to it being senior night, it is also faculty/staff appreciation night.
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook