FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2-4-02

Men's Basketball: Clayton State 67, AASU 59
Women's Basketball: Clayton State 64, AASU 50

Releases Courtesy of Clayton State Sports Information

Morrow, GA-The Clayton College & State University men's basketball team got off to a slow start Monday but kicked into gear midway through the first half, en route to its 10th Peach Belt Conference victory of the season, defeating Armstrong Atlantic State University 67-59.

Armstrong State jumped out to an early lead and led by as many as 13 points, 19-6, on a three-pointer by senior Mick Jordan (Sarasota, FL) at the 11:49 mark of the first half.

Clayton State, the top team in the PBC South Division, battled back into the game over the next six minutes, however, outscoring the Pirates 20-7. The Lakers tied score at 26 apiece at the 5:45 mark on a 3-pointer by senior Jay Gibbons (Lakeland, FL), and pushed their lead to five points, 37-32 at halftime.

In the second half, the Lakers extended its lead to double-digits on two different occasions. The squad led 46-36 at the 14:37 mark on a basket by senior Jerry Johnson (Riverdale, GA) and by 10 points, 58-48, with 5:48 remaining on the second of two free throws by Gibbons.

AASU made one last run over the next three minutes and cut the deficit to four points, 60-56, with 3:44 remaining before Clayton State senior Kareen Harris (Atlantic City, NJ) hit a free throw, followed by Gibbons draining a 3-pointer to seal the victory with an eight-point lead, 64-56, at the 2:08 mark.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 13-7 overall and 10-3 in the league, while Armstrong State drops to 10-10 overall and 6-7 in the league. The Lakers will return to the court on Wednesday, traveling to Georgia College & State University.

Gibbons led the Lakers with 10 points and 10 assists, while Jerry Johnson finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. Junior Jamal Johnson (Columbus, GA) added 11 points and eight rebounds, followed by junior Mike Phenizee (Pittsburgh, PA) and senior Charlie Frazier, Jr., (Brunswick, GA) with 10 points apiece.

For AASU, senior Donta Humphries (Statesboro, GA) finished with a game high 16 points to go along with eight assists, followed by Mick Jordan with 12 points.

Clayton State shot 41 percent (20-of-49) from the field, 31 percent (5-of-16) from 3-point land and 71 percent (22-of-31) from the free throw line. Armstrong shot 46 percent (20-of-44) from the field, 48 percent (10-of-21) from 3-point territory and 69 percent (9-of-13) from the free throw line.

Clayton State controlled the boards, outrebounding the Pirates 37-24 and committed only 12 turnovers compared to 15 for AASU.

Meanwhile, the Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team won its fifth Peach Belt Conference game of the season Saturday, defeating Armstrong Atlantic State University 64-50.

In the driver’s seat from the opening tip, the Lakers led by ten points on four different occasions in the first half. The Lady Pirates cut Clayton State’s lead to four points at the break, 27-23. Clayton State re-extended its to double digits and kept it there on a 3-pointer by senior Sarah Ernest (Fayetteville, GA) with 5:57 remaining in regulation.

Sophomore Allyson Rutledge (Kennesaw, GA) led all scorers with 14 points. The Lakers had three other players who scored in double digits. Ernest and sophomore Nicia Puckett (Ellenwood, GA) had 11 points apiece and sophomore Jo Kimbrel (Colquitt, GA) added 10. Freshman Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) and junior Catreia Shaw (Pearson, GA) controlled the boards as each finished with 10 rebounds.

AASU leading scorer junior Zandrique Cason (Mesa, AZ) led the Lady Pirates with 12 points, followed by senior Lexie Martin (Youngsville, LA) with eight rebounds and seven assists.

With the victory Clayton State moves to 9-11 on the year, and 5-8 in the conference. Armstrong Atlantic State drops to 7-13 on the year and 5-8 in the Peach Belt.

The Lakers travel to Milledgeville, GA on Wednesday evening as they meet Peach Belt rival Georgia College & State University at 5:30 p.m.