Augusta State tops Clayton State 76-67 in Peach Belt Top 25 showdown
McLaurin scores 23 points as 10^th-ranked Lakers now 19-3 overall and 8-3 in PBC

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- FEBRUARY 7, 2007 --- Wednesday’s much-anticipated Peach Belt Conference Top 25 showdown between Clayton State and Augusta was all it was hyped up to be. However, the visiting Lakers could not make some key plays down the stretch and dropped a 76-67 decision to Augusta State at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The defeat drops 10^th-ranked Clayton State to 19-3 overall and 8-3 in the Peach Belt. 16^th-ranked Augusta State, meanwhile, is now 19-3 overall and an undefeated 11-0 in the Peach Belt. The Jaguars, who won their 11^th straight game, now lead Clayton State by three games in the Peach Belt South Division.

Despite shooting only 33 percent from the field in the first half, Clayton State stayed virtually toe-to-toe with the Jaguars.

Tyrekus Bowman was tough for the Lakers to contain as the junior forward scored 20 points in the first half. However, Clayton State finished the half on a 9-3 run to pull within four points at halftime 34-30. However, Augusta State shot 59 percent in the second half, including 63 percent from 3-point range.

However, Augusta State shot 59 percent in the second half, including 63 percent from 3-point range. With Clayton State center Aristide Sawadogo on the bench with four fouls, Augusta State utilized its seven-foot center Garrett Siler in the second half with 13 points.

With Siler scoring on the interior, Augusta State increased its lead to 12 points four times in the second half. Demetrius Howard’s 3-point basket with 12 minutes remaining made the Jaguar lead 57-45.

But Clayton State showed no quit. Behind the play of senior guard Todd McLaurin, the Lakers battled back with a 12-3 run. McLauin’s baseline jumper with 7:55 remaining trimmed the Augusta State lead to 60-57. However, Augusta State increased its lead back to nine points as Steve Smith drained a 3-point basket with four minutes remaining to make the Jaguar lead 70-61.

McLaurin’s 3-point basket with 2:40 remaining trimmed the Jaguar lead to 70-66 with 2:40 remaining. That, however, was as close as the Lakers would get.

McLaurin scored 23 points to pace Clayton State, while Brandon Kelley scored 11 points. Michael Sloan, John Beugnot and Jerome Boyd each added seven points for the Lakers.

For Augusta State, Bowman scored 27 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field, while Siler recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Madgen scored 11 points for the Jaguars.

Clayton State finishes the three-game road swing with a 4 p.m. showdown at Georgia College on Saturday.