COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team concluded its road trip at Columbus State University on Wednesday Evening.  The Cougars got the best of the Lakers in overtime, 84-77.  Tyler Shirley hit a three with 10 ticks left in the second half to force the overtime period.   
 
The first half saw the Lakers trail by seven at the break at the score, 30-23.  Jamall Clyce and Mohamad Diallo led the team with eight points on a combined 8-for-11 shooting.  The Cougars took an early 14-8 lead and then the Lakers eventually knotted the game at 14 after baskets by Keandre Bowles, Baqi Lecky and Clyce.  However, the Cougars built their lead back to seven at 21-14 with under seven minutes left in the half.  The Lakers saw baskets by Shirley and Clyce in the final two minutes of the half as they closed the gap to single digits going into the half. 
 
Halftime: Columbus State 30, Clayton State 23
 
The Lakers came out of the gate fast at the start of the second half and eventually cut their deficit to one at 36-35.  Christian Chambers led the Lakers with six points during that stretch.  Travis Harper II also tossed in his first points of the game during that run.  The Cougars extended their lead as they used timely offense and pushed the score to double digits at 53-40 with nine minutes left.  The Lakers started chipping away at that lead as Harper II, Bowles, and Shirley combined to score the next several points and the Cougar lead is down to 59-52 with 4:30 left. 
 
The Lakers make the game interested in the final three minutes.  A pair of layups by Bowles and a pair of free throws by Harper II made the score, 65-60.  After Columbus State made a pair of free throws, Harper II converted an and-one opportunity and made the score, 67-63.  With ten seconds left in the game and at the score, 68-65, Shirley drained a three and tied the game at 68 and forced overtime.
 
Both teams came out of the overtime period red hot as they combined to make the first four baskets.  Columbus State led, 73-72.  Then, after a Cougar three, Chambers answered with a three of his own and made the score, 76-75.  That was as close as the Lakers got as Columbus State used timely offense to knock off the Lakers, 84-77.
 
QUICK HITS

• The Lakers drop to 7-16 and 3-10 in the PBC while the Cougars improve to 12-10 and 6-7 in the conference. 
• Harper II led the Lakers with 16 points.  He scored all 16 points in the second half. 
• Bowles scored 15 points off the bench. 
• Chambers led the Lakers with nine boards while Diallo and Shirley followed with seven rebounds. 
• Diallo scored 13 points in only his second start of the season.
• The Lakers shot 74% from the free throw line and 44.6% from the field.
• The Lakers played in their first overtime game since December 31^st, 2022, against Claflin.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers host the Flagler College Saints for Homecoming on Saturday, February 17^th.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. from the Loch.  Please visit claytonstatesports.com for more information regarding Homecoming and for the ticket links.  It is encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time. 
 
Be sure to follow Clayton State Athletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.