MORROW, Ga. – On a day where Clayton State University honors their seniors and celebrates Homecoming, the men's basketball team saw their season come to an end.  Despite a career day by Jojo Bell, the Lakers come up short falling, 83-71, to USC Aiken. 
 
The Pacers got off to a hot start as they pulled out to a 16-2 lead, but the Lakers fought back in a big way.  This run was sparked by threes from Bell and DJ Wright as the Lakers eventually cut the Pacer lead to two at 19-17.  Joey Thomas also hit a basket on that run.  The Lakers kept fighting but they saw the Pacers grow their lead back up to 14 at 35-21 after they went on a 14-2 run.  A dunk by Bell and a jumper by Eddie Page halted the run.
 
The Pacers scored seven of the final nine points of the half and led, 42-27, going into the halftime break. 
 
Halftime: USC Aiken 42, Clayton State 27
 
Bell set the tone for the Lakers in the second half as he started out the half with a three and a dunk making the score, 44-32.  After Clayton State got within four at 46-42, USCA hit back-to-back threes and made the score, 52-42.  Thomas then buried a pair of threes to close the gap to 54-48.  The Pacers controlled the pace of the game in the second half and answered every Laker scoring opportunity.  With seven minutes left, the Lakers closed the gap to eight at 73-65, but the USCA went on a mini 6-0 run and made the score, 79-65. 
 
The Lakers got within 10 numerous times down the stretch but they were unable to get any closer as they dropped their season finale, 83-71. 
 
QUICK HITS

• Bell scored a career-high 33 points (14-for-19) and grabbed a career-high 15 boards.
• Wright finished his Laker career with 15 points. 
• Thomas dished out a team-high six assists.
• Both the Lakers and Pacers scored 32 points in the paint. 

 
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