MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Clayton State University women's basketball team opened play at the Florida Tech Holiday Tournament playing the University of Tampa on Friday afternoon.  The two teams combined for only 96 points with Tampa besting the Lakers, 53-43. 
 
Offense was at a premium in the first half as the two teams combined for only 48 points in the first half, but Tampa led 26-22 going into the halftime break.  Jasmyn Burts led the Lakers with seven points in the half and scored five of those seven in the second quarter hitting a three and making a jumper.  Tampa held the largest lead of the half at seven in the second quarter. 
 
Halftime: Tampa 26, Clayton State 22
 
 The Lakers cut into that halftime deficit going into the third quarter cut the Tampa lead down to one at 28-27.  Jada Alston, who made her season debut on Friday, and Waite combined for the first five Laker points.  The Spartans grew their lead up to six at 41-35 going into the fourth quarter of play.  Nya Young, Paige McDonald, and Hannah Wright scored for the Lakers in the final 3:30 minutes of the quarter.  The fourth quarter started with field goals by McDonald and Ky'Leo Worriels and tied the game at 41. 
 
The Lakers, would however, not score in the final 4:45 of the game and went onto fall, 53-43. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Waite, Burts, Alston, and McDonald all led the Lakers with seven points.
• Worriels led the team with nine boards.
• Waite added four assists.
• The Lakers out rebounded the Spartans, 37-34.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers (2-8 (0-1 PBC)) conclude play at the Florida Tech Holiday Tournament playing the Tournament host Florida Tech on Saturday, December 21^st at 12 p.m.