Kelley scores 18 in thrilling 80-74 Clayton State
road victory
Gibbons one victory away from 100 as Lakers win key early-season showdown at North Alabama

FLORENCE, Ala. --- NOVEMBER 27, 2006 --- Poise and mental toughness are the making of a good basketball team, and the Clayton State Lakers displayed that on Monday night.

Playing at one of the great Division II traditions in North Alabama, the Lakers picked up a huge early-season road victory with a thrilling 80-74 victory over North Alabama at Flowers Hall. The victory keeps eighth-ranked Clayton State undefeated on the young season at 2-0. It also moves head coach Gordon Gibbons one victory closer to his 100^th at Clayton State as he notched his 99^th on Monday night.

“This was a huge win, especially on the road against a team with tremendous tradition like North Alabama,” said Gibbons. “We talked about poise and mental toughness a lot, and that was the case tonight. We overcame some shakiness early, took control with our defense and held off a furious late charge.

“Our poise and defense was the key tonight.”

The Laker defense was the key. North Alabama, winners of two NCAA Division II National Championships, entered the contest averaging 97 points in its first four games. However, Clayton State held the Lions 23 points under their average with a deadly full-court press and never-ending intensity in its half-court defense. In addition, Clayton State out-rebounded North Alabama 43-30. Both teams took care of the ball, combining for only 24 turnovers.

Leading by nine points at halftime, Clayton State never relinquished the lead in the second half. North Alabama cut the Laker lead to seven points on two Jerrell Vinson free throws with 15:45 remaining. However, Clayton State increased the lead to 14 points 61-47 on a John Beugnot lay-up with 12:47 remaining.

Every time North Alabama made a move, Clayton State had an answer. Following a Vinson inside jumper, the Lakers Brandon Kelley answered with a huge 3-point basket to make the Clayton State lead 72-59 at the 5:18 mark.

But in the final two minutes, North Alabama did make its move. Quinn Beckwith drained a 3-point basket at the 2:09 mark, trimming the Clayton State lead to 78-71. After holding on defense, the Lions struck again as Kenny Johnson hit a 3-point basket with 1:09 remaining to make the Laker lead 78-74.

Clayton State overcame a missed free throw and made a key defensive stop with 14 seconds remaining. Aristide Sawadogo missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Luis Rodriguez kept it alive with an offensive rebound. He then sealed the Laker victory with two free throws with 11 seconds remaining.

Kelley paced five Lakers in double-figures with 18 points, while Rod Venner scored 14 points off the bench. Venner scored 10 of those points in the first half as Clayton State overcame some early troubles to lead by as much as 13 points. In addition, Michael Sloan scored 12 points, followed by Beugnot with 11 points and Sawadogo recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

For the game, Clayton State shot 48 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line.

For North Alabama (2-3), Milton Nance was tremendous with 26 points on four 3-point baskets, while Beckwith and Esmir Guzonjic each scored 11 points and Casey Holt added 10 points.

Clayton State plays in the Catawba Classic this weekend in Salisbury, N.C. The Lakers play Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by Catawba on Saturday at 4 p.m.