COLUMBUS, Ga. – February 6, 2008 – Coming off a heart-breaking last-second defeat at UNC-Pembroke on Saturday, the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball aimed to get back on the winning track in a key Peach Belt Conference showdown at in-state rival Columbus State on Wednesday.

However, the Cougars nailed two late key 3-point baskets and edged the Lakers 74-70 at the Lumpkin Center. Clayton State is now 10-10 overall and 6-7 in the Peach Belt.

Despite having a subpar shooting night at 38 percent for the game, the Lakers stayed close with Columbus State throughout with some good pressure defense, and even took the lead late in the second half.

Bernard Fields tied the game at 60-60 on a 3-point play with 3:59 remaining, and then Michael Sloan gave the Lakers their first lead of the game 63-62 on two free throws at the 3:04 mark. Two more free throws by Will Lewis and another by Brian Kelly extended the Clayton State lead to 66-63 with 2:21 remaining.

However, Columbus State tied the game 66-66 on a 3-point basket by Quay Hollaway with 2:03 remaining. Then after a missed Clayton State jump shot, the Cougars took the lead for good on a Shondre Guest 3-point basket at the 1:21 mark.

Clayton State twice had opportunities to possibly tie the game in the final minute, but turnovers killed those chances. The closest the Lakers would get was two points, 72-70 on a Lewis 3-point basket with 12 seconds remaining.

Fields and Michael Sloan both scored 17 points to pace Clayton State, while Kelly scored 14 points and Lewis added nine points off the bench. The Lakers forced 20 Columbus State turnovers.

For Columbus State (11-11, 7-5), Corris Portis scored 18 points on three 3-point baskets and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. Travis Matthews scored 17 points on four 3-point baskets, while Guest, Maurice Arnold and Javarrus Stewart each added eight points. For the game, the Cougars were 10-for-29 from 3-point range.

Clayton State is back in action at home on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against in-state rival Augusta State.