MORROW, Ga. – Clayton State University men's basketball senior Wes Williams buried a three with seven seconds left in the game as the Lakers upset the #18 USC Aiken Pacers, 74-72, inside the Loch on Saturday afternoon.
 
The pacers got off to a good start in the first half as they scored 21 of the first 28 points, making the score, 21-7.  Tyler Shirley hit a three while Jamall Clyce and Travis Harper II buried jumpers.  The Lakers started to climb back into the game.  An emphatic dunk by Shirley sparked a mini 7-0 run and made the score, 21-14.  Marcus Harris also converted an and-one opportunity on the run.  The Lakers cut the game to five at 23-18, but the Pacers answered with a 7-2 run and made the score, 30-20.  After Harper II made a three, USC Aiken took over the game and eventually took a double-digit lead at 36-23. 
 
The Lakers finished the half on a 10-4 run and trailed the Pacers, 40-33.  Harris and TJ Stargell drained three-balls. 
 
Halftime: #18 USC Aiken 40, Clayton State 33
 
The second half started with the Lakers and Pacers trading baskets making the score, 48-41.  At the score 54-43, the Lakers clawed back into the game and went on a 12-4 run and closed the gap to three at 58-55.  Shirley hit a three and Harper II slammed home a dunk during that run.  The Pacers later led by as much as seven but the Lakers would not go away.  With five minutes left, USC Aiken led 70-63 and the Lakers responded with back-to-back threes from Shirley and Stargell and cut the game to one at 70-69.  The Lakers eventually took the lead after Harper II put in a pair of free throws with 1:53 left. 
 
With 1:34 left, the Pacers retook the lead at 72-71.  Wes Williams knocked down a three-pointer with seven seconds left in the game as the Lakers upset the Pacers, 74-72. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: Clayton State 74, #18 USC Aiken 72
Records: Clayton State: 6-12 (2-6 PBC) | #18 USC Aiken: 15-3 (6-2 PBC)
Location: The Loch | Clayton State University | Morrow, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• This is the first ranked win under Vince Alexander and the first ranked win for the Lakers since February 17^th, 2018, against USC Pembroke. 
• Shirley led the Lakers with 18 points and six boards.
• Harris and Stargell followed with 15 and 13 points, respectively, all off the bench.
• Harper II contributed 11 points.
• Mohamed Diallo grabbed five rebounds.
• The Lakers shot 47.4% from beyond the arc and 49.1% from the field.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers hit the road for a pair of games starting on Wednesday, January 31^st as they take on the Hurricanes of Georgia Southwestern.  Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Storm Dome. 
 
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