MONTICELLO, Ark. – December 31, 2007 – The 2007 portion of this season did not end on a good note for the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball team as it dropped a 78-58 decision on Monday afternoon at Arkansas-Monticello. The defeat evens the Lakers’ overall record at 5-5.

The host Boll Weevils used their inside attack to its advantage, shooting 53 percent from the field in the first half and 57 percent in second half for 55 percent from the field for the game. The Lakers had no answer for the Arkansas-Monticello inside combination of Derek Easter and Raymond Wright, who both scored 20 points for the Boll Weevils.

Overall, Arkansas-Monticello out-scored the Lakers 40-22 in the paint.

Clayton State stayed close in the first 10 minutes of the game, and trailed by only six points, 20-14 with 9:34 remaining in the first half. However, Arkansas-Monticello went on a 12-3 run over the next six minutes to build a 15-point lead. Wright scored six points during the rally, including a dunk with 3:38 remaining to give the Boll Weevils a 32-17 lead.

Two free throws by Marcus Baham gave Arkansas-Monticello a 39-22 lead at halftime.

Clayton State never got closer than 15 points in the second half when a lay-up by Jerome Boyd trimmed the Boll Weevil lead to 45-30 with 15:56 remaining. Arkansas-Monticello, meanwhile, twice stretched the lead to 24 points in the second half.

The Boll Weevils’ largest lead of the game was 26 points, 70-44 on a 3-point basket by Deron Brown with 4:40 remaining.

Brian Kelly paced Clayton State with 14 points and six rebounds on 6-for-8 shooting from the field. The Laker bench, however, was productive as Trey Goss and Ricky Garrett both scored 12 points in reserve roles, and the Lakers shot 75 percent from the free throw line.

In addition to Wright and Easter, Brown and Baham each scored 14 points for Arkansas-Monticello (6-3). The Boll Weevils out-rebounded Clayton State 39-27.

Clayton State returns to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday with a 7:30 p.m. showdown at rival Augusta State.