AMERICUS, Ga. -- The Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team held a one-point lead going into halftime but afterwards, Clayton State took over the game, picking up their fifth Peach Belt Conference win as they defeated GSW, 73-62, during Wednesday's game inside the Storm Dome.
A late three by Jamesha Samuel gave the Lady Hurricanes a 34-33 lead going into the final 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the Lakers came out of halftime with vengence as they took the lead and held GSW from getting their first PBC win this season.
How It Happened: Clayton's Taneria Wilson opened the game with a quick layup but it wasn't until three minutes later that Dominique Jeffery was able to drain 1-of-2 free throws to put GSW on the board. Two minutes later, Tamecia Blue drained two free throws as GSW was able to take a 5-3 lead halfway through the opening quarter. Clayton went on a 7-0 scoring run, capped with a three but Lex Chatman responded back with a three of her own. A late three by Wilson capped another 7-3 run as they took the opening lead, 17-11.
Both teams opened the second quarter scoring back-to-back as the Lakers were maintaining the lead. A layup by Jeffery pulled GSW within one possesion, 21-19, but Clayton's Jonnise Poole responded with back-to-back three's as both teams went into a media timeout. A three by Mariya Trimble stopped a short Laker run as they were down by six with 2:46 remaining in the half. Samuel closed the half scoring eight striaght points, giving GSW (4-8, 0-6 PBC) a 34-33 lead after draining back-to-back threes.
Within the opening minute of the third quarter, Samuel was able to drain another from behind-the-arc but Clayton was able to take the lead on the following possession. Chatman converted a layup that tied the game at 41 with 7:12 remaining in the third. Afterwards, GSW would see no light. Clayton (9-5, 5-1 PBC) went on a 14-4 run that took over four minutes as they took a commanding 56-48 lead going into the final 10.
The Lakers quickly opened the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead. Back-to-back Lady Hurricanes scores cut the score down to two posessions but a three by Wilson extended the lead back out. With 5:54 remaining in the game, Clayton took their biggest lead of the night, 65-54. The Lady Hurricanes tried to rally but only got as close as seven points while the Lakers rode to a 73-62 victory.
Clayton's bench outscored GSW's by score of 37-18 as they also held a 43-40 rebound advantage to cap the night. The Lakers finished the day shooting 41.5 percent from the field and 76.5 percent from the line while the Lady Hurricanes shot 37.1 percent and 61.1 percent, respectively.
Who Stood Out: Samuel led the Lady Hurricanes with 15 bench points as she drained three from deep. Blue, who also had 15 points, led the team with four assists as she dropped five from the line. Trimble finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points with 12 boards and three assists followed by Chatman, who finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
Clayton was led by Wilson, who finished with 20 points and six steals. Timi'A Swanson came off the bench with a double-double as she had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers.
Up Next: The Lady Hurricanes will take a road trip to Milledgeville where they will play Georgia College on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1:30 p.m.