MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team opened its 2024-25 season at the PBC/SAC Challenge as they hosted Tusculum University on Friday evening.  The Lakers took care of business taking down the Pioneers, 66-51. 
 
After the Pioneers took an early, 7-4 lead, Lay Davis sparked a 10-0 run, and the Lakers took a 14-7 lead.  Along with Davis, DJ Wright, Elijah Dates, and Eddie Page scored buckets.  After Tusculum cut their deficit to 14-10, the Lakers countered with a 17-3 run and extended their lead to 18 at 31-13.  Dates hit a three and Aaron Pitts scored six points. 
 
The Lakers led by as much as 21 in the final three minutes and they took a 40-21 lead going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 40, Tusculum 21
 
After Wright made a pair of free throws to open the second half, the Lakers went cold offensively and Tusculum mounted a comeback.  They went on a 13-2 run and cut the Laker lead to 10 at 44-34.  A layup by Christian Chambers stalled the run.  At the score, 46-38, and with Tusculum inching back into the game, a jumper by Wright starts a 10-0 run and the Lakers pulled away up 18 at 56-38. 
 
The Lakers pulled away the rest of the half as they went onto win the game, 66-51.  Pitts, Woods, Wright, and Page all scored in the final 3:30 minutes of the game. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Dates led the Lakers with 16 points.  He also made both threes for the Lakers. He shot 5-for-7 from the field.
• Pitts and Wright followed with 14 points. 
• Jojo Bell led the team with seven rebounds, while Davis and Jamall Clyce followed with six. 
• The Lakers scored 32 points from off the bench. 
• The Lakers were outrebounded 52-42. 
• The Lakers start their season 1-0 in back-to-back seasons.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers (1-0) host Lenoir-Rhyne in the final game of the PBC/SAC Challenge on Saturday, November 9^th.  Tipoff from inside the Loch is set for 3:30 p.m.
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.