Clayton State men pull off critical 61-55 Peach Belt victory at Armstrong Atlantic
Sloan scores 13 points as Lakers improve to 12-11 and 8-8 in conference

SAVANNAH, Ga. – February 18, 2008 – If there was ever a game for the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball team to truly "come of age," it was Monday night in its Peach Belt Conference showdown at in-state rival Armstrong Atlantic.

The Lakers battled through some adversity and some stingy Armstrong Atlantic shooting and came away with a critical 61-55 victory at Alumni Arena. The victory improves the Lakers to 12-11 overall and 8-8 in the Peach Belt Conference, and Clayton State sweeps the season series against Armstrong Atlantic.

"It was a truly a great win," said Clayton State head coach Gordon Gibbons. "To come in and win here is tremendous. We told the players that this was an NCAA tournament game, and now they are understanding the level that we are playing at now."

Clayton State could’ve easily have lost its composure in the first half when two straight technical fouls ignited a 7-0 Armstrong Atlantic run to give the Pirates a 19-13 lead. However, the Lakers countered with a 10-3 run to finish out the half.

Michael Sloan’s 3-point basket with 1:10 remaining in the first half gave Clayton State a 23-22 lead at halftime.

There were seven lead-changes and two ties in the second half before Clayton State took the lead for good on Will Lewis’ jump shot with 12:55 remaining. In fact, Lewis scored nine straight points to increase the Clayton State lead to 44-36 with 10:35 remaining.

Armstrong Atlantic, however, stormed back. The Pirates twice cut the deficit to one point, and then tied the game 45-45 on two Franchot Brown free throws at the 7:04 mark. But a dunk by Brian Kelly put Clayton State ahead for good on its ensuing possession.

Five points by Corey Johnson, including a 3-point basket with 3:04 remaining, trimmed the Laker lead to 52-51 at the 3:04 mark. However, the Lakers again answered the call as Ricky Garrett drained a 3-point basket at the top of the key on Clayton State’s ensuing possession.

Armstrong Atlantic cut the deficit to two points on two Jamaal Galloway free throws with 33 seconds remaining, but Clayton State sealed it with two free throws each by Tracy Williams and Kelly.

Sloan paced Clayton State with 13 points as four Lakers reached double-figures. Lewis and Williams each scored 11 points and Kelly added 10 points for Clayton State. The Lakers’ stifling defense forced 23 Pirate turnovers and held Armstrong Atlantic to only 36 percent shooting from the field.

For Armstrong Atlantic (15-9, 9-8 PBC), Johnson scored 15 points, followed by 12 points from T.T. Hall and 10 points off the bench by Galloway.

Clayton State is back home on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference showdown against in-state rival North Georgia.