MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton State University men's basketball team returned home for the first time since February 17^th and suffered an 82-73 loss against Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday evening. 
 
The Lakers came to play at the beginning of the first half as they opened an 8-2 lead after both Travis Harper II and Mohamed Diallo threw down dunks.  GSW then took its first lead of the game a couple minutes later at 12-11.  They led by as much as five at 21-16 but three pointers by Elijah Dates and Keandre Bowles led to the Lakers eventually taking a seven-point lead at 36-29.  Tyler Shirley, Baqi Lecky, and Wes Williams all scored points in the final 2:30 in the half as the Lakers went up, 40-39 at the half. 
 
Halftime: Clayton State 40, GSW 39
 
The two teams started the second half trading blows and the score read 48-47, Lakers.  Then, the Hurricanes caught fire from the field and went on an 11-0 run including making three, three-pointers and took a 58-48 lead.  The Lakers then closed the gap to two at 58-56 after countering with a 6-0 run.  With 10 minutes left and with Clayton State clinging to a 64-63 lead, GSW went on a 15-1 run and pulled out to a 78-65 lead.
 
Harper II scored six of the final eight Laker points, but the Hurricanes top the Lakers, 82-73. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Diallo led the Lakers with 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. 
• Harper II followed with 14 points and added a team-high eight boards. 
• Shirley also found himself in double-figures with 13 points and seven boards. 
• The Lakers outscored the GSW bench, 27-6.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers conclude their regular season slate on Saturday, March 2^nd as they host the nationally ranked Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia at 3:30 p.m. for Senior Day.
 
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