AMERICUS – Georgia Southwestern competed in their last home game event for the 2013-14 season against Clayton State Saturday afternoon in a 76-56 upset. Junior Tiara Thompson led the Lady 'Canes with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five steals.
The Lady 'Canes move onto a record of 9-16, 4-14 in the Peach Belt Conference. Clayton State improves to a 19-5, 14-3 PBC. The Lakers continue to shutout GSW in their all-time record with 16-0.
The Lady Hurricanes came out fighting; they didn't want this games end result to repeat the last time they faced off with the Lakers in Morrow, Ga. back in December. Right away the two teams were point for point with each other until Thompson stepped up to drain a three at the 15:30 mark to push GSW ahead.
Clayton State was halted in their comeback by back to back layups by Shanedra Lockett, Sierra Barrino-Kennedy, and Shatoria Hudson put GSW up by three. Clayton State then got hot and started a 19-7 run over GSW, from the 10:30 to two minute mark. The Lady 'Canes were down by nine points with two minutes to go when Danisha Green came up with a layup and extra point at the free throw line to spark things into gear. Thompson finished the half for GSW with four more points. The Lady 'Canes went into the half 29-27.
The Lady 'Canes have been doing well coming out of half time recently. This afternoon the Lady 'Canes went on an 11-4 run on the Lakers. Featuring two three-pointers by Shaniece Sheffield both assisted by Danyelle Jones, who finished the game with seven assists. This run gave GSW their largest lead for the day of five points at 17:06.
The Lakers came back again holding GSW to nine points compared to their 25 from the 17 minute mark until 6:20, where CSU reached their largest lead of 11 points, 58-47. The Lady 'Canes didn't let the Lakers get away too easily. With six minutes left in the half, Thompson added six more points and Jasmine McSwain added five. The game slipped farther away from GSW with less than a minute to go as they were forced to foul in hopes to catch up. After sending CSU's Bena Hanyard to the line four times, the Lakers were able to get their last eight points from the free throw line. CSU was victorious 76-65.
This being the last home game of the season, senior Shaniece Sheffield was given a big round of applause as she exited the court with 16 seconds left in the game on Senior Day. Sheffield was rewarded for her two years of hard work and dedication to the team after the final buzzer. In her final game at home, Sheffield added six points, four rebounds, and two steals while playing for 24 minutes.
Three other members of the GSW team contributed double-digit scoring with Thompson. Shatoria Hudson contributed 12 points and nine rebounds. Jasmine McSwaine added 11 points and five rebounds. Shanedra Lockett furthered the score with ten points and three rebounds.
Clayton State had one double-double by Shacamra Jackson (16 pts and 11 reb). They also had double-digit scores by Hanyard (17 points), Andrea Benford (12 points), and Tiayra Green (11 points).
GSW contributed four less turnovers than CSU. The Lady 'Canes bench also contributed nine more points than the Lakers. Clayton State 48.2% (27-of-56) excelled where it mattered by out shooting GSW 34.2% (25-of-73).
The Storm Dome was decked out in Pink accessories for the Zeta Tau Alpha Brest Cancer awareness in an annual Pink Day game. Raffle tickets were sold throughout the women's and men's game to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation.
The Lady 'Canes have one more game in their regular season play away against PBC opponent North Georgia on March 1st. Tipoff is set to start at 1:30 p.m.