Fields propels Clayton State men to thrilling 67-59 triumph over Georgia College
Junior guard one of three to score 11 points as Lakers improve to 8-7 and 4-4 in the Peach Belt Conference

MORROW, GA. – January 21, 2008 – Monday’s Peach Belt Conference men’s showdown between Clayton State and visiting Georgia College proved to be a battle of wills, and indeed it was. However, the home standing Lakers came up with some crucial plays down the stretch as Clayton State knocked off Georgia College 67-59 at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

With the victory, Clayton State improves to 8-7 overall and an even 4-4 in the Peach Belt, matching its season-best three-game winning streak. The victory also avenges a 90-61 Georgia College rout in Milledgeville back on Nov. 29.

Neither team led by more than seven points throughout, and there were 10 ties and 11 lead changes. However, the key for the Lakers was their ever-improving defense. Georgia College entered the game leading the Peach Belt Conference in both field goal percentage (.470) and 3-point shooting percentage (.436). Clayton State, however, limited the Bobcats to only 29 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent shooting from 3-point range.

The Lakers gained their momentum in the final four minutes of the contest. Georgia College held a 58-56 lead on two free throws by Aaron Clark at the 3:52 mark, but the Lakers finished the game on an 11-1 run.

Will Lewis started the rally with a lay-up to tie the game, and then junior guard Bernard Fields came up with the two biggest defensive plays of the game. He stole a pass from the Bobcats’ Ken Kemp and jammed it home in transition to give the Lakers a two-point lead. On the ensuing possession, Fields stole it again from Kemp and converted a lay-up in transition to give the Lakers a 62-58 lead with 2:14 remaining.

Georgia College would only cut the lead to three points after that as the Lakers had four straight defensive stops in the final minute to put the game away. In the second half, Georgia College shot only 22 percent from the field, including only 1-for-10 (10 percent) from 3-point range.

Fields, Michael Sloan and Ricky Garrett each scored 11 points for Clayton State, while Lewis and Tracy Williams each added eight points. Clayton State 45 percent from the field and committed only 11 turnovers.

For Georgia College (11-3, 5-2), Shaun Keaton scored 22 points, including 18 on the first half on four 3-point baskets. Graham Martin scored 14 points and Justin Brown added 10 points off the bench.

Clayton State hits the road for a key Peach Belt showdown on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at in-state rival North Georgia.