DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team saw breakout performances from Brian Coffey II, Ricardo Saams Jr., and Dudley Blackwell but they were unable to hold off the #21 University of North Georgia Nighthawks and went on to lose, 85-79.   
 
Wes Williams and Travis Harper II got the Laker scoring started early in the first half as the Nighthawks led by a slim 9-7 lead. After Saams Jr. made a free throw and made the score 9-8, North Georgia went on a 7-2 run and made the score, 16-10.  Bryce Weinmunson then buried a three and cut the Nighthawk lead in half at 16-13.  Weinmunson's three then sparked a 13-4 run and the Lakers led 23-20. 
 
After Williams tossed in a layup with five minutes left in the half and made the score 27-26, North Georgia scored seven of the next eight points and they retook the lead at 34-28.  Blackwell made a three to break up the run. 
 
The Nighthawks dominated the end of the half and took a 40-33 lead going to the half.  Blackwell led the Lakers with nine points and Saams Jr. grabbed six boards. 
 
Halftime: #21 North Georgia 40, Clayton State 33
 
Coffey II and Blackwell carried the early momentum for the Lakers at the beginning of the second half and they cut it to a one-point lead at 40-39.  At the score, 45-43, the Nighthawks saw a pair of threes and that made the score 51-43.  At 55-47, the Lakers went on a 7-0 run and cut the deficit to a one-point game again at 55-54.  Harper II converted an and-one opportunity during that stretch.  The Nighthawks then responded with a 7-0 run and extended their lead to 62-54. 
 
With under 10-minutes left and at the score 65-58, the Lakers continued to fight and Saams Jr., Weinmunson, and a three-pointer by Coffey II closed the gap to two at 67-65.  The Lakers closed in on the Nighthawks in the final minutes of the game.  With 1:30 left, Coffey II and Weinmunson tossed in field goals and cut their deficit to 83-79. 
 
The Lakers fought until the end, but they were edged by North Georgia, 85-79.
 
GAME VITALS
Final: #21 North Georgia 85, Clayton State 79
Records: #21 North Georgia: 16-4 (9-3 PBC) | Clayton State; 2-20 (0-12 PBC)
Location: Lynn Cottrell Arena | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Blackwell led the Lakers, coming off the bench, with 18 points.
• Saams Jr. recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 boards. 
• Coffey II scored 17 points on 3-for-5 shooting from beyond the arc. 
• The Lakers shot 55% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers turnaround and host these same Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia on Wednesday, February 11^th.  Tipoff from the Loch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday's game is Breast Cancer Awareness Night.  The first 50 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt. 
 
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