FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-12-05

Women's College Basketball: Clayton State 77, AASU 63

Release Courtesy of Clayton College & State University Sports Information

SAVANNAH, Ga. - A late 13-2 run was the difference Wednesday as the Clayton College & State University women's basketball team toppled defending Peach Belt Conference South Division champions Armstrong Atlantic State University 77-63 at the Athletics & Fitness Center.

Leading by three points with 6:03 remaining, senior Kaleena Coleman ignited the run with a three-pointer, giving the Lakers a six-point lead, 62-56, with 4:56 remaining. After two free throws from Coleman, junior Shelcey Harp gave the Lakers their first double-digit lead of the contest at the 3:44 mark, 66-56.

Junior Basia Bukowska extended the Laker lead to 13 points, 69-56, with another three-pointer with 3:11 remaining. AASU's Ramona Wright answered with a basket to cut the deficit to 11 points only to have Bukowska answer with a three-pointer 15 seconds later, giving the Lakers a 14-point lead, with 2:16 remaining.

Clayton State hit 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory, as the Lakers led by double-digits for the final two minutes of the game.

With the win, the Lakers improve to 11-3 on the season and 3-0 in the Peach Belt. Both the overall and conference are program bests for the Lakers. Armstrong Atlantic State, the preseason favorite to win the Peach Belt, drops to 12-5 overall and 2-1 in the league.

In the first half, Armstrong Atlantic State raced out to a seven-point lead, 25-18, in the later stages of the first half thanks to a 7-0 run. Two free throws by Alicia Durham gave the Pirates a 25-18 lead with 7:30 remaining.

Clayton State came back with a 7-0 run of its own to close the period with Harp tying the score at 27 apiece and then draining a three-pointer a minute later to give the team a 30-27 advantage. AASU's Jasmine Herron hit a free throw with 47 seconds remaining as AASU trailed by two points, 30-28 at halftime.

Harp led the Lakers with 22 points and nine rebounds, followed by senior Jamika Hindsman with 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists. Bukowska chipped in 10 points.

Armstrong Atlantic State's Audosha Kelley, the leading scorer in the Peach Belt, led the Pirates with 19 points, followed by Lavonne Thomas and Ramona Wright each scoring 14 points apiece.
Clayton State shot 41 percent (29-of-71) for the game, including 49 percent (16-of-33) in the second half. Armstrong shot 36 percent from the floor (24-of-66). Clayton State outrebounded AASU 49-41 and had 22 offensive boards compared to 17 for the Lakers.

- Pirates -