FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-25-06

Women's College Basketball: Clayton State 78, AASU 60

Release Courtesty of Clayton State Sports Information

MORROW, Ga. – A 14-2 run late in the second half sealed an 18-point Peach Belt Conference victory for 22nd-ranked Clayton State, as the Lakers defeated Armstrong Atlantic State 78-60 at the Athletics & Fitness Center Wednesday.

Leading 57-49 with 10:08 remaining, Tracey Browne ignited the game-deciding run with two free throws, followed by a three pointer from Teri Willis, giving the squad a 13-point, 62-49 lead. After two free throws from AASU's Audosha Kelley, Willis drained another three-pointer to give the squad 14-point lead with 8:21 remaining.

Two Clayton State free throws and then a basket by Alecia Humphrey capped the run, pushing the Laker lead to 20 points, 71-51, with 5:04 remaining. Armstrong cut the deficit to 16 points on one occasion in the final four minutes but could come no closer. Browne gave the Lakers a 21-point lead with a basket in the paint with 2:04 left.

Armstrong led much of the first half and a Kelley basket at the 9:27 mark gave the Pirates a 21-17 advantage. Clayton State answered over the next five minutes with a 14-3 stretch to take a 31-24 lead. After both teams swapped baskets in the next few minutes, Clayton State closed the half with five straight points, including a three-pointer by Shelcey Harp to give the squad 43-32 lead at intermission.

With the win, Clayton State improves to 14-3 overall on the season and 8-2 in the league, maintaining its hold on second place in the Peach Belt. Armstrong drops to 8-9 overall and 3-7 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, traveling to face GC&SU, and AASU will host Columbus State on Saturday.

Wiles led the Lakers with one of her most complete games of the season, totaling 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals. Harp added 13 points and pulled eight rebounds, while Willis chipped in 11 points. Jasmine Patterson finished with eight points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

For Armstrong Atlantic, Kelley finished with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Kaneetha Gordon had her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards.

Clayton State shot 38 percent (28-of-73) from the floor, including 41 percent (14-of-34) in the second half, while Armstrong hit 31 percent (22-of-71), including 24 percent (8-of-33). Both teams handled the ball well with Clayton State having only six turnovers and Armstrong Atlantic finishing with 13. The Lakers won the battle on the boards 59-44, but Armstrong Atlantic did have 28 offensive boards compared to 15 for Clayton State.

-Pirates-