MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team hosted the No. 9 University of North Georgia Nighthawks in its Peach Belt Conference (PBC) opener on Saturday evening inside the Loch.  The Lakers took the Nighthawks to the wire, but UNG came away with a 76-73 win. 
 
The Nighthawks controlled the game early as they opened the first half on a 21-8 run.  Dashaun Joseph made two of the four field goals for the Lakers in the early going.  The Lakers fired back as Matt Brown knocked down a pair of threes and made the score, 21-14.  The Lakers eventually cut the game to three at 23-20 after Lay Davis and Aaron Pitts notched points. 
 
With a minute-and-a-half left in the half and with the score 32-28, The Lakers saw baskets from Tahai Morgan and Pitts and made the score, 35-33 going into the halftime break.  Clayton State fought from down 13 in the half. 
 
Halftime: #9 North Georgia 35, Clayton State 33
 
The Lakers took their first lead of the game in the first moments of the second half as Jamall Clyce nailed a three and Pitts and Jojo Bell added baskets.  Clayton State pulled ahead, 40-37.  After North Georgia retook the lead and went on a 9-2 run, Clyce buried a three to cut the game to one at 46-45.  The two teams went blow by blow in the midway point of the half.  With 3:50 left and UNG up by five at 66-61, the Lakers fought back and tied the game at 66 with 2:30 left. 
 
In the last moments of the game, it was a battle at the free throw line and North Georgia held on to defeat Clayton State, 76-73. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Pitts led all Laker scorers with 16 points and went 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
• Wright and Davis notched double-digit point totals off the bench with 11 and 10, respectively. 
• Pitts led the team with seven boards.
• The game saw two lead changes and two ties. 
• The Lakers outscored the Nighthawks, 38-15, off the bench.
• The Lakers shot 40% from the field and 78% from the free throw line.
• All 10 Clayton Stare points scored at least one point. 

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers (4-4 (0-1 PBC)) host Fort Valley State at the Loch on Wednesday, December 11^th.  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
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