Sub-par shooting costs Clayton State in 58-55 overtime defeat against Georgia Southwestern
Sloan scores 14 points as 13th-ranked Lakers fall to 20-4 overall and 9-4 in Peach Belt Conference

MORROW, Ga. — FEBRUARY 14, 2007 — The first home game in two weeks proved to be a sour homecoming for the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball team as it dropped a tough 58-55 overtime defeat to visiting Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The defeat drops 13th-ranked Clayton State to 20-4 overall and 9-4 in the Peach Belt Conference. It’s also the second straight home defeat for Clayton State.

Shooting woes rendered the Lakers, who shot only 34 percent from the field, 23 percent from 3-point range and 55 percent from the free throw line. In addition, Georgia Southwestern out-rebounded Clayton State 37-30.

Clayton State fell behind early by 11 points before trailing 28-21 at halftime. However, in the second half, the Lakers battled back and took a 45-40 lead on John Beugnot’s baseline jump shot with 4:47 remaining. But Georgia Southwestern countered with a 9-0 run, taking a 49-45 lead on Norbey Aragon’s dunk with 47 seconds remaining.

Clayton State trimmed the lead to two points on two Jeff Trotter free throws. And then after a Hurricane turnover with 15 seconds remaining, Todd McLaurin drove the lane and fed Trotter for the game-tying lay-up with five seconds remaining. That sent the game into the extra session.

The Lakers were their own worst enemy in the overtime, missing six free throws. Georgia Southwestern, meanwhile, took a 56-51 lead on Aragon’s 3-point play with 41 seconds remaining.

Clayton State cut the lead to three points on two Brandon Kelley free throws with 23 seconds remaining, and then to one point on Beugnot’s tip-in following a Georgia Southwestern turnover with 20 seconds remaining. The Hurricanes increased the lead to three points on two Lakeves Prather free throws with 10 seconds remaining.

With one final chance to tie, Beugnot’s 3-point attempt was off the mark as time expired.

Michael Sloan paced Clayton State with 14 points on four 3-point baskets, while Kelley scored 11 points and McLaurin and Beugnot each added nine points. For Georgia Southwestern (11-12, 4-9), Shawn King scored 17 points, while Aragon scored 16 points. The Hurricanes shot 84 percent (11-for-13) from the free throw line.

Clayton State plays its final regular season road game on Saturday – a 5 p.m. showdown at in-state Peach Belt rival North Georgia.