FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-12-05

Men's College Basketball: Clayton State 56, AASU 44

Release Courtesy of Clayton College & State University Sports Information

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Trailing by seven points with seven minutes remaining, the Clayton College & State University men's basketball clamped down defensively and outscored Armstrong Atlantic State University 20-2 down the stretch for a 56-44 Peach Belt Conference victory at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

Clayton State's suffocating defense was the key, as the Lakers held the Pirates scoreless for a six-minute stretch, allowing only two free throws in the final 1:27 of the game. The Lakers held Armstrong to 26 percent (13-of-51) shooting for the evening and forced 23 turnovers.

Armstrong led by six points with 7:18 remaining on a Kenny Brown layup only to have the Lakers go on their game-deciding run. A junior Maxi Rios layup tied the score at 42 apiece with four minutes remaining, followed by senior Justin Levy draining a three-pointer to regain the lead for Clayton State with 3:09 remaining.

Clayton State upped its lead to eight points at the 1:05 mark on a layup by senior B.J. Puckett, and pushed its lead to 12 points in the final seconds on a two free throws by senior Craig Butts.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 9-8 on the season and 2-1 in the conference, while Armstrong Atlantic State drops to 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, hosting Lander University in a 7:30 p.m. contest. Armstrong State will play at Francis Marion University on Saturday.

In the first half, Clayton jumped out to an early lead, taking a 12-point advantage, 18-6, on a layup by Butts with 9:46 remaining. The Lakers pushed their lead to 15 points, 30-15 at the 3:02 mark only to have the Pirates answer with a 6-0 run to close the half. AASU's Travis Wallace scored an inside basket with 22 seconds remaining to cap the run and close the half with CCSU leading 30-21.

Butts led the Lakers with 17 points and five rebounds, followed by Puckett with 10 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Aristide Sawadogo led the Lakers on the boards with seven.

For Armstrong, Alex Carter was the only Pirate in double-digits with 10 points. AASU leading scorer Lorenzo Lawrence finished with seven points.

Clayton State shot 39 percent from the floor (19-of-49) and committed 16 turnovers. Armstrong Atlantic State won the battle on the boards, outrebounding the Lakers 39-32.

- Pirates -