GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team's upset bid fell short as they lost to #15 Lander University, 85-78, at Finis Horne Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers saw
Keandre Bowles score 23 off the bench and
TJ Stargell add 20 points.
The first half was evenly matched through the first 10 minutes as neither team led by as much as five points. The score read, 23-18.
Travis Harper II and Bowles, among others, tossed in points for Clayton State. Then, Lander took control and took a 12-point lead at 38-26 with 5:30 remaining. Harper II scored six of the Laker eight points during that stretch. The Lakers then saw an emergence from Bowles has he scored eight straight points and cut the Lander lead to four at 38-34. The Bearcats and the Lakers took a 48-40 score going into the locker room.
Halftime: #15 Lander 48, Clayton State 40
Stargell knocked down a three to start the half and the Lakers got within five at 48-43. With Lander up by nine at 54-45, the Lakers went on a 6-0 run and cut the lead down to 54-51. Stargell scored four points during that stretch. With nine minutes left in the game, Lander took a six-point lead at 70-64. The Lakers then saw back-to-back dunks by seven-foot big man
Mohamad Diallo and closed the gap to 70-68.
The Lakers got within one point with 1:21 left at 79-78, but Lander finished the game on a 6-0 run and defeated the Lakers, 85-78.
QUICK HITS
- The Lakers drop to 7-15 and 3-9 in the conference while Lander improves to 18-4 and 10-2 in the PBC.
- Bowles led the Lakers with 23 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
- Stargell followed with 20 points while Harper II followed with 14 points.
- Diallo led the Lakers with eight boards and added 10 points.
- The Lakers shot 84% from the free throw line.
- The Lakers outrebounded the Bearcats, 33-27.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers travel west to Columbus State for the Battle of the Real CSU on Wednesday, February 14
th. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on
Twitter,
Instagram and
Facebook.
