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Coach Cox signs former DBCC standouts Patterson and Bukowska for 2004-05 season 

Morrow, GA --- August 6, 2004 --- First-year Clayton College & State University women’s basketball head coach Dennis Cox has announced the signing of two more players for the 2004-05 season, and both will be familiar with his style and the success of his system.  

Cox signed two of his former junior college players at Daytona Beach Community College in Jasmine Patterson and Barbara "Basia" Bukowska. Patterson played two seasons at DBCC and helped lead the program to a 29-2 record in the 2002-03 season, while both she and Bukowska played on last year’s squad that finished with a 19-10 mark.  

A 5-foot-10 small forward, Patterson was twice named All-Mid-Florida Conference and twice named to the NJCAA All-Region VIII squad.  She averaged 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots per game in two seasons at DBCC. In her freshman year, she was named Mid-Florida Conference Player of the Year and third team NJCAA All-America.  

Patterson, a native of Leesburg, FL in Central Florida, graduated from Leesburg High where she averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds per game, while receiving first team All-State honors her senior year.   

"We're thrilled to add a player as athletic and talented as Jasmine Patterson to our roster this year,” said Cox. “Having coached Jasmine at DBCC, I know the kind of player that she can be for us.  We sent a lot of great players to the Peach Belt Conference from DBCC over the years, and none of them have been any better than Jasmine Patterson.  I think she can be an impact player for us here at Clayton State." 

Bukowska, a 5-5 sophomore point guard from Lublin, Poland, joins the Lakers after averaging nine points and four assists per game, earning All-Mid-Florida Conference honors. She is a 3-point shooting specialist, as she drained 56 three-pointers last year, hitting almost 40 percent from the field. She also excels in the classroom with a 3.91 grade point average, majoring in business.  

"We could have gotten several other point guards late from around the country with a little more flash, but with Basia we know what we're getting: a solid, hard-working, consistent performer that is a joy to have around, both on and off the floor,” said Cox. “She's one of the smartest players I've ever coached.  She sees the floor well, having played in a very disciplined European-style passing game, and she can really shoot the three-ball." 

Patterson and Bukowska will join Marie St. Fort of West Palm Beach, FL, who signed earlier this summer, giving the Lakers three signees for the upcoming season.  

A graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School, St. Fort is a 5-foot-6 guard and led her team to the Florida Class 6A Final Four as a junior, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game. She was named second team All-State, to the All-6A State Tournament team and the Sun Sentinel Player of the Year after her junior season.  

Entering her senior season, St. Fort, unfortunately suffered an ACL tear during a summer AAU tournament in Atlanta, GA. Instead of sitting out, she opted to play her senior year before having surgery this past spring. Despite the injury, St. Fort still managed to lead her team in scoring at 14 points per game and was named first team All-Conference and first team All-Area, playing with a heavily braced knee all season. 

After finishing the 2002-03 season with a 16-11 record, the Clayton State women’s team finished the 2003-04 year with a 10-18 record. The outlook for next season will be bright, as the Lakers return four of the team’s top five scorers and rebounders from last year.  

The squad will be led by a trio of returning starters all of whom will be seniors in 2003-04 in April Taylor (Memphis, TN), Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) and Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA).  

Hindsman, a 5-8 guard, led the squad in scoring last year, averaging 12 points per game, while shooting 43 percent from the floor. The team’s most complete player, she also averaged six rebounds, led the squad in steals and ranked second in assists.  

Taylor, a 6-foot-1 forward, will be a three-year starter and averaged eight points and six rebounds per game. One of the team’s most athletic players and top defenders, she ranked third on the squad in steals.  

Catia, a 6-0 center, averaged more than 10 points and seven rebounds per game last year. She shot a team-leading 48 percent from the floor and ranked second on the club in steals and blocked shots.

Head coach Cox enters his first season at Clayton State after serving the last six years as the head coach at Daytona Beach Community College. He compiled a 147-41 record, won three Mid-Florida Conference championships, a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament championship and had a state runner-up finish at DBCC. 

His top season at Daytona Beach came as recent as the 2002-03 campaign when his Falcons finished fourth in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association final poll with a 29-2 record. Prior to his six seasons at Daytona Beach, Cox served as the head coach at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, for eight years, where he compiled a 144-97 record.   

Clayton College & State University is a four-year institution and a member of the University System of Georgia. The Lakers are NCAA Division II members and compete out of the Peach Belt Conference.  

 ###CCSU###

Florida high school standout St. Marie becomes Cox’s first signee at Clayton State

 Morrow, GA --- July 20, 2004 --- First-year Clayton College & State University women’s basketball head coach Dennis Cox has announced his first signee for the 2004-05 season, and she is a good one in Marie St. Fort of West Palm Beach, FL.  

A graduate of Palm Beach Lakes High School, St. Fort is a 5-foot-6 guard and led her team to the Florida Class 6A Final Four as a junior, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds per game. She was named second team All-State, to the All-6A State Tournament team and the Sun Sentinel Player of the Year after her junior season.  

Entering her senior season, St. Fort, unfortunately suffered an ACL tear during a summer AAU tournament in Atlanta, GA. Instead of sitting out, she opted to play her senior year before having surgery this past spring. Despite the injury, St. Fort still managed to lead her team in scoring at 14 points per game and was named First Team All-Conference and First Team All-Area, playing with a heavily braced knee all season. 

"We are excited to be able to get a player of Marie's caliber this late in the recruiting season,” said head coach Dennis Cox. “If it were not for the knee injury, we would not have had a chance to get a Marie St. Fort.  There is no question in my mind that she was headed for a major NCAA Division I program somewhere before the injury.  With our tremendous sports medicine staff here at CCSU along with Marie's tremendous desire and work ethic, she will come back stronger than ever and make a huge contribution here." 

After finishing the 2002-03 season with a 16-11 record, the Clayton State women’s team finished the 2003-04 year with a 10-18 record. The outlook for next season will be bright, as the Lakers return four of the team’s top five scorers and rebounders from last year. 

The squad will be led by a trio of returning starters all of whom will be seniors in 2003-04 in April Taylor (Memphis, TN), Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) and Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA). 

Hindsman, a 5-8 guard, led the squad in scoring last year, averaging 12 points per game, while shooting 43 percent from the floor. The team’s most complete player, she also averaged six rebounds, led the squad in steals and ranked second in assists. 

Taylor, a 6-foot-1 forward, will be a three-year starter and averaged eight points and six rebounds per game. One of the team’s most athletic players and top defenders, she ranked third on the squad in steals. 

Catia, a 6-0 center, averaged more than 10 points and seven rebounds per game last year. She shot a team-leading 48 percent from the floor and ranked second on the club in steals and blocked shots. 

Head coach Cox enters his first season at Clayton State after serving the last six years as the head coach at Daytona Beach Community College. He compiled a 147-41 record, won three Mid-Florida Conference championships, a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament championship and had a state runner-up finish at DBCC. 

His top season at Daytona Beach came as recent as the 2002-03 campaign when his Falcons finished fourth in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association final poll with a 29-2 record. Prior to his six seasons at Daytona Beach, Cox served as the head coach at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, for eight years, where he compiled a 144-97 record.  

Clayton College & State University is a four-year institution and a member of the University System of Georgia. The Lakers are NCAA Division II members and compete out of the Peach Belt Conference.

###CCSU###

Kauffman and Cox named Laker 
women’s basketball assistants 

Morrow, GA --- June 30, 2004 --- First-year Clayton College & State University head women’s basketball coach Dennis Cox has filled out his coaching staff, naming Kate Kauffman and Alison Cox assistant coaches in the Laker basketball program. 

Kauffman will be no stranger to Clayton State women’s basketball fans, as she joins the staff after recently completing her senior season at the school. A four-year letterwinner, from Lilburn, GA, Kauffman was the team’s lone senior last year and a team captain. A. Cox joins the Clayton State program after most recently attending the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL. 

“We’re excited about the energy and enthusiasm that Kate and Alison bring to the program, said head coach Cox. “It will be a learning experience for them, and for me as well, but I am confident in their ability to perform in a first-rate fashion.” 

In addition to their coaching duties, Kauffman and A. Cox will also assist in recruiting, scouting and basketball operations for the women’s program. 

“Kate brings a familiarity with Clayton State and the Atlanta-metro area and Alison brings a familiarity with our system. I am happy for both of them and pleased for us that they have agreed to take on the challenge of laying the foundation for a new era in CCSU women’s basketball.” 

Kauffman will graduate from Clayton State this summer with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She played in 108 games in her Laker career, sixth best in school history. She also ranks fourth all-time in blocked shots. She was named multiple times to the Peach Belt Conference Presidential Honor Roll, recognizing academic excellence in the league. 

A 2000 graduate of Brookwood High School in Snellville, GA, Kauffman grew up in a basketball family. Her father, Bob, played professional basketball for the Atlanta Hawks and three other teams, while her three older sisters played collegiate basketball at at Georgia Tech and Duke.  

Alison will be serving as a student-assistant coach on her father’s staff, while finishing her undergraduate degree in psychology at CCSU. She played for Coach Cox at Daytona Beach Community College in Daytona Beach, FL, her freshman year on a team that went 26-5 and won a conference tournament championship. A knee injury shortened her playing career, as she turned her attention to coaching.

A 2001 Port Orange Atlantic High School graduate, Alison also hails from a basketball family. Her uncle Greg Kite played in the NBA for several teams, including the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic, and her aunt, Jenny Kite, was a three-time All-State player in Florida and a standout at Brigham Young University. 

Head coach D. Cox enters his first season at Clayton State after serving the last six years as the head coach at Daytona Beach C.C. He compiled a 147-41 record, won three Mid-Florida Conference championships, a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament championship and had a state runner-up finish at DBCC. 

His top season at Daytona Beach came as recent as the 2002-03 campaign when his Falcons finished fourth in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association final poll with a 29-2 record. Prior to his six seasons at Daytona Beach, Cox served as the head coach at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, for eight years, where he compiled a 144-97 record.   

After finishing the 2002-03 season with a 16-11 record, the Clayton State women’s team finished the 2003-04 year with a 10-18 record. The outlook for next season will be bright, as the Lakers return four of the team’s top five scorers and rebounders from last year. 

Clayton College & State University is a four-year institution and a member of the University System of Georgia. The Lakers are NCAA Division II members and compete out of the Peach Belt Conference. 

Dennis Cox named head women’s basketball coach at Clayton State 

Morrow, GA --- May 10, 2004 --- Clayton College & State University athletic director Mason Barfield has named Dennis Cox CCSU’s fifth head women’s basketball coach. Cox takes the helm of the NCAA Division II basketball program after former coach A.C. McCullers resigned earlier this year. 

Cox served the last six years as the head coach at Daytona Beach Community College in Daytona, FL, where he compiled a 147-41 record, won three Mid-Florida Conference championships, a Mid-Florida Conference Tournament championship and had a state runner-up finish. 

His top season at Daytona Beach came as recent as the 2002-03 campaign when his Falcons finished fourth in the nation in the National Junior College Athletic Association final poll with a 29-2 record. Last year with 14 new players, he still managed to lead his squad to an impressive 19-10 record. 

“We are fortunate to have someone with Dennis Cox’s experience and success join us at Clayton State,” said athletic director Mason Barfield. “Success at the college level relies heavily on recruitment, and Dennis brings us a wealth of knowledge in recruiting the Southeast with his many contacts that encompass the high school, junior college and Division I level. He is the person to elevate our women’s program to a national level.” 

Said Cox, “We are so excited about the opportunity presented to us at Clayton State. We are anxious to get started and grateful for the quality of players that are already in place and determined to get the most we can out of this experienced group. For the future and from a recruiting standpoint, I feel very good about the quality of the package that we can offer a student-athlete at Clayton State.” 

Cox was named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Region IX Coach of the Year in 2003 and has been named the Mid-Florida Conference Coach of the Year on three different occasions. 

Prior to his six seasons at Daytona Beach, Cox served as the head coach at Valencia Community College in Orlando, FL, for eight years. He began the program at Valencia and compiled a 144-97 record, including four seasons with 20 or more wins and three state tournament appearances.  

“It is very tough to leave behind the program that we were given the opportunity to build at DBCC,” said Cox. “But we are looking forward to working hard to achieve the same results at Clayton State.” 

During his junior college tenure at Daytona and Valencia, 44 out of his 58 sophomores graduated and most continued their basketball careers at NCAA Division I and II programs. Cox has former players at Alabama, Charlotte, the University of Texas El Paso, Florida Atlantic, Augusta State, Columbus State, Kennesaw State and Francis Marion.  

After coaching high school boys for the first eight years of his career, Cox had his first experience coaching women’s basketball at Lake Highland Prep School in Orlando. He led the Lady Highlanders to district and region titles in 1987-88, compiling a 39-17 record in two years before moving onto Valencia. 

Cox received a B.S. degree in biology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, and was captain of the basketball team his senior year. He later earned a master’s degree in exercise physiology and wellness from the University of Central Florida. Before attending Eckerd, Cox attended the United States Air Force Academy where he played intercollegiate baseball.   

He and his wife Dawn have seven children and six grandchildren. Their oldest son, Dino, lives in Honolulu, HI, with his wife Joycelyn and their four children, Thurston, Valentino, Jordan, and Deanna. Their oldest daughter Leslie and her husband Caine live in Orlando with their children, Morgan and Tyler. Their other children are Jennifer, Kristopher, Alison, Ashley, and Jaclyn. 

After finishing the 2002-03 season a 16-11 season, the Clayton State women’s team finished 2003-04 year with a 10-18 record. The outlook for next season will be bright, as the Lakers return their top five scorers and top five rebounders from last year. 

Former coach A.C. McCullers, Clayton County’s most successful high school coach, winning four state championships at Morrow High School, had 53-82 record in five years at Clayton State. He won his 700^th combined high school and collegiate victory during the 2003-04 season.  

Clayton State’s A.C. McCullers resigns 
as head coach of Laker women’s basketball team 

Morrow, GA—March 8, 2004 --- A coaching legend and fixture for women’s basketball for 30 years in Clayton County, head Clayton College & State University coach A.C. McCullers announced his resignation as the CCSU women’s head coach on Monday.  

McCullers is coming off his fifth season at Clayton State after coaching 25 years at Morrow High School. He captured his 700th combined victory in January of this year with an 84-77 victory over nationally-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University. Clayton State’s season came to an end last week with a 10-18 record, falling in the Peach Belt Conference tournament to Francis Marion University. 

“Clayton State and this community has been great to me over the years, and I will never be able thank them enough for their support,” said McCullers. “It was a tough decision, one that I agonized over, but I feel like its time for me to move on. It will allow me much more family time with my teenage daughter and wife. I will be able to watch her grow up and won’t miss out on the most enjoyable years of her life. I missed her hitting two free throws in the last minute of her last game this year, and it almost killed me.” 

McCullers took over the Clayton State program in 1999 and provided stability to Laker women’s basketball after the program had three coaches in three years. In five years at Clayton State, he compiled a 53-82 record with his best season coming in 2002-03 with a 16-11 mark, the second best record in school history.  

“Clayton State was in need of someone like A.C. five years ago to put our program on solid footing, and he accomplished that,” said CCSU athletic director Mason Barfield. “He came in and provided stability to our women’s basketball program and developed it into a respected one in the Peach Belt Conference.” 

In addition to compiling the program’s second best overall record in 2002-03, he also led the Lakers to the school’s best finish in Peach Belt Conference play, finishing fifth in the league with a 10-9 mark. 

The program had its first victory over a nationally-ranked team in 2002-03, defeating USC Aiken and followed that up this year with a win over 11^th–ranked Bellarmine University and 17^th-ranked Armstrong State. The 2002-03 squad also defeated Kennesaw State for the first time in 18 tries, sweeping the Owls in two games and was ranked for the first time in the South Atlantic Region. The program produced its first All-America in 2003 and finished the season ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage defense. 

The most successful high school coach in Clayton County history, McCullers compiled a career record of 648-157, a winning percentage of .803, and won 535 games at Morrow before announcing his retirement in the spring of 1999. 

He led the Lady Mustangs to Class AAAA state championships in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993 and had nine players sign with NCAA Division I programs since 1990. 

In 25 years, McCullers guided Morrow to 19 state tournament appearances, 12 regional championships and nine trips to the Final Four, including his last season when Morrow capped its 12th consecutive 20-win season with a 26-5 record. 

A native of Jasper, Ala., McCullers was inducted into the Etowah County (Ala.) Hall of Fame in 1997. He was an all-state football player and four-sport letterwinner at Hokes Bluff (Ala.) High School before continuing his football career at the University of Tennessee–Chattanooga, where he earned a bachelor’s of science degree in physical education in 1968. In 1980, McCullers received a master’s degree from West Georgia. 

He and his wife, Renee, have a 15-year old daughter, Andrea Michelle, and reside in McDonough.

Laker women fall in final minute to Francis Marion 65-63 in first round of Peach Belt Tournament 

AUGUSTA, GA – March 2, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball season came to end Tuesday in the first round of the 13th annual Peach Belt Conference but not before putting a scare in Francis Marion University. 

The Lakers came one basket from pulling off the first upset of the tournament, before falling 65-63 to the Lady Patriots at Augusta State University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse.  The Lakers entered the tournament as the sixth seed out of the South Division, while Francis Marion was the third seed from the North Division. 

A basket on an inside move by junior Brandi Catia tied the game at 59 apiece with 1:56 remaining in the game. After a basket by FMU’s Velvet Dotson, Catia and Jamika Hindsman each hit a free throw with Hindsman’s coming at the 1:01 mark to knot the game once again, this time at 61. 

Two free throws by Johnson with 43 seconds remaining gave the Patriots the lead for good, however. A Laker turnover on its next, followed by two more free throws from Johnson sealed the victory for FMU. Johnson scored the Patriots last six points and hit 4-of-6 free throws in the final minute. 

“That’s the story of our season right there, losing close ball games,” said head coach A.C. McCullers.” I thought we played real hard, if not real smart.  “Twice in the last minute we got what we wanted, they missed a free throw, but we turned it over and missed a rebound.” 

With the loss, the Lakers close their season with a 10-18 record, while Franics Marion improves to 14-12 on the year. The win advances the Patriots to the PBC quarterfinals and a 3 p.m. Thursday matchup with Armstrong Atlantic State University. 

“We hadn’t played Clayton State in a long time, they were our second conference game of the season,” said Valecia Tedder. “I knew we had gotten a lot better, and I knew they had too.  We were both fighting hard the whole game.  We got off quicker with our shooting than they did.  It was an excellent game by both teams.” 

Francis Marion opened the game on an 8-0 run and held Clayton State scoreless for more than six minutes before Kate Kauffman hit a short jumper to put the Lakers on the board. The Patriots stretched the lead out to a dozen points a few minutes later to take a 16-4 advantage, but Clayton State’s Carlie Anderson cut the deficit in half for the Lakers by hitting back-to-back three pointers. CCSU would get as close as four points in the first half before Francis Marion settled for a 33-25 lead at the intermission. 

FMU committed only three turnovers in the first half and shot 39.4 percent (13-of-33) from the floor, while Clayton State shot only 31 percent (9-of-29). Michelle Ghere led a balanced Patriot attack with eight points at the break, while Anderson led the Lady Lakers with 11 points after hitting three from behind the arc in the first frame. 

“We fought hard and we had a chance to win,” said Anderson “We just didn’t do the things you need to do down the stretch.” 

Dotson finished with 13 points and shared high point honors with Danielle Moore, who hit 6-of-10 shots for 13 points. Michelle Ghere also reached double figures for FMU with 10 points. 

Anderson came off the bench to lead Clayton State with 21 points after hitting 5-of-9 three pointers. Her five three-pointers in the game give her 56 on the season, a new Clayton State single season record, breaking Jo Kimbrel’s record of 51. Jamika Hindsman added 15 points, while Brandi Catia came off the bench with 12 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort. 

FMU shot 43 percent (24-of-56) from the floor, while Clayton State shot 40 percent (21-of-52). Clayton State outrebounded the Lady Patriots 38-33 but committed 17 turnovers compared to 11 for the Patriots.

#22 GC&SU hands Clayton State an 83-75 loss 
Saturday in regular season finale 

Morrow, GA --- February 28, 2004 --- A late 12-2 second half run by Clayton State was not enough as the squad fell 83-75 on “Senior Night” to 22^nd-ranked Georgia College & State University at the Athletics & Fitness Center in Morrow, GA. 

The Lakers led a fierce charge to open the second half behind the three-point shooting of Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) who hit 4-of-6 in the second half.  After trailing by 17 points at the 18:35 mark, Anderson scored nine points and carried the Lakers within five points, 60-55 with 11:51 remaining.   

     Clayton State further chipped away at the lead and cut the deficit to three points 66-63 with 8:13 remaining, but that was as close as they would come to the Bobcats.  GC&SU pushed its lead back up to 10 points with three minutes remaining, led by Antionette Long (Calhoun, TN) who scored six of the Bobcats last eight points. 

    The Bobcats were solid from the free throw line shooting 85 percent (24-of-28).  As a team, GCSU shot 47 percent (27-of-57) from the field and 56 percent (5-of-9) from behind the three point line. 

     GC&SU dominated the first half and broke the game wide-open taking a commanding 37-19 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. The 22^nd-ranked Bobcats controlled the tempo and took a 15-point halftime lead 45-30. 

  Latia Love (Lebanon, TN) led the Bobcats in scoring with 25 points and rebounding with eight boards, followed by 20 points from Long. Alicia Porter (Hartwell, GA) and Breane Haggard (Cohutta, GA) each chipped in 11 points.  

As a team the Lakers shot 71 percent (9-of-19) from the three-point line and 37 percent (23-of-61) from the field.  Anderson led the Lakers with a career-high 25 points followed by senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) with 12 points and six rebounds, and Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) who recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Lady Owls down Clayton State 82-60 
Peach Belt Conference action Wednesday 

Game Stats
Kennesaw, GA --- February 25, 2004 --- A 12-2 run to close the first half was the difference Wednesday as the Kennesaw State University women basketball team defeated Clayton College & State University in Peach Belt Conference action 82-60 at the Spec Landrum Centre in Kennesaw, GA. 

The run to close the first half gave the Owls a 43-29 lead at halftime. The Lakers stayed within striking distance through the first 10 minutes of the second period until KSU went on a mini-run and pushed their lead to 20 points 67-47 with 6:51 left. KSU led by more than 20 points for the remainder of the contest. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 10-16 on the season, while KSU improves to 17-8 on the year and 9-5 in the Peach Belt. The Lakers will return to action on Saturday for “Senior Night,” hosting Georgia College & State University in  a 5:30 p.m. contest. 

Junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) led the Laker scoring attack with 12 points, hitting 4-of-7 from the field. Senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) and junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) each had 11 points, while junior Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) added 10 points. 

Brown led the Lakers with eight rebounds, while junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) had six assists. 

For KSU, Denisha Ferguson led all scorers with 21 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Kristina Usaite chipped in 13 points, followed by Malgorata Morka with 12 points and Larvisha West with 11 points. Lauren Gaines had a game high nine assists. 

CCSU shot 35 percent (23-of-65) from the field, and hit only 1-of-11 from three-point territory and 13-of-21 from the free throw line. The Owls hit 45 percent from the field (29-of-64) from the floor, 11-of-23 from three-point territory and 13-of-18 from the free throw line. 

Clayton State falls 54-47 to Augusta State Sat.; to play at Kennesaw State on Wed. 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- February 21, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team battled hard down the stretch but came up short falling 54-77 to Peach Belt Conference opponent Augusta State University Saturday at the Athletics and Fitness Center in Morrow, GA. 

After falling behind by nine points late in the second quarter, the Lakers cut the deficit to three points thanks in part to solid free throw shooting by Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) who hit 7-of-7 free throws in the game. Augusta State widen the gap back to eight points with 31 seconds remaining, 51-43, closing the doors on the Lakers. 

Each team traded baskets early in the first half, and the Lakers held a four-point lead, their largest of the game, with 9:36 remaining. Alashaa’ Hodges (Memphis, TN) led the charge for the Jaguars, who went on an 11-2 run and jumped to a 27-23 halftime lead. 

Shundra Johnson (Decatur, GA) led Augusta State with 14 points and nine rebounds followed by Latoya Renwrick (York, SC) who added 11 points and 11 rebounds.  As a team, the Jaguars shot 31 percent (19-of-61) from the field and 72 percent (3-of-11) from the free throw line. 

Clayton State shot 29 percent (16-of-55) from the field and 65 percent (4-of-13) from the free throw line.  April Taylor (Memphis, TN) and Hindsman scored 10 points each for the Lakers. CCSU outrebounded Augusta State 45-43 in the contest. 

The Lakers travel to face Kennesaw State on Wednesday, February 25^th  before returning home for the last home game against Georgia College & State University on Saturday, February 28^th. 

#20 North Florida downs Clayton 
State 76-60; to host Augusta State Sat. 

Jacksonville, FL --- February 18, 2004 --- A 16-5 run to end the first half and begin the second half was the difference Wednesday, as the 20th-ranked University North Florida Lady Ospreys downed the Clayton College & State University Lakers 76-60 at UNF Arena in Jacksonville, FL. 

UNF took control of the game in the first three minutes of the second half, outscoring the Lakers 8-2 over the stretch. Junior guard Jamala Mitchell gave UNF a 17-point, 44-27, lead with 17:11 remaining in the game. 

Clayton State battled back over the next eight minutes of the game and cut the deficit to single digits 54-45 with a three-pointer by sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) but was unable to cut the margin any closer. 

UNF answered with an 11-4 run to push its lead back to 16 points, 65-49 with a layup by senior Skye Barber, two of her game high 26 points. Barber hit 8-of-13 from the field, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line. 

North Florida led by 11 points at halftime, closing the period on an 8-3 run. Clayton State junior Bradi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) cut the deficit to 11 points at intermission, 36-25 with a free throw. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 10-14 overall and 2-11 in the Peach Belt Conference. North Florida improves to 20-4 on the season and 9-4 in the league. Clayton State will return to action Saturday, hosting Augusta State University in a 5:30 p.m. game. 

 Senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) and junior Apryl Brown led the Lakers with 14 points each. Kauffman kept the squad close in the second half with 11 points in the period. Anderson chipped in nine points, followed by Catia with eight. 

Junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) had five assists, while Brown pulled a game high eight rebounds, followed by Catia with seven boards. 

Behind Barber’s 26 points, senior guard Latisha Perry had 13 points, followed by junior center Brittany Davis 11 points and six boards. 

Clayton State finished the game at 36 percent (20-of-55) from the field, while the Ospreys hit 47 percent (29-of-62) from the floor. Clayton State outrebounded UNF 39-33 but had 19 turnovers compared to 11 for UNF.

GC&SU hands Clayton State women 77-54 loss;
to travel to North Florida on Wednesday 

Game Stats
Milledgeville, GA --- February 14, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team fell behind early Saturday to one of the nation’s top ranked teams and never recovered, falling 77-54 to Peach Belt Conference opponent Georgia College & State University at the Centennial Center in Milledgeville, GA. 

GC&SU raced to a 13-2 lead five minutes into the game with a basket by Antionette Long. The Bobcats pushed their lead to over 20 points, 29-7, with 9:22 remaining on a three-pointer by Breane Haggard, and extended their lead to 28 points, 46-18, at halftime. 

The Lady Bobcats hit 50 percent (18-of-36) from the field and 58 percent (7-of-12) from three-point territory in the first half. GC&SU took advantage of 14 first half turnovers by the Lakers and held CCSU to 23 percent (7-of-30) shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes. 

With the loss, the Lakers drop to 10-13 on the season and 2-10 in the league. The Lakers will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to face the University of North Florida in a 5:30 p.m. game. GC&SU improves to 19-4 on the year and 8-4 in the league. 

Clayton State made one run in the second half with a 12-0 spurt midway through the half and cut the deficit to 18 points, 58-40, with a three-pointer by sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) but that was a close as the Lakers would come. 

Junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) led the Lakers with 13 points and a game high 14 rebounds, followed by junior Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) with 11 points and five boards. 

For GC&SU, Rachael Jackson led a balanced attack, featuring four players in double digits with 15 points. Latia Love added 14 points, 11 rebounds and three steals, while Antionette Long and Breane Haggard each added 12 points apiece. Haggard’s 12 points came on four three-pointers, three of which she hit in the first half. 

Clayton State shot only 32 percent (19-of-60) from the field in the game and 21 percent (3-of-14) from three-point territory. GC&SU shot 41 percent (28-of-69) for the game and 38 percent (8-of-21) from three-point territory. 

The Lakers outrebounded the Lady Bobcats 44-43 but did commit 23 turnovers compared to 18 for GC&SU.

Kennesaw State wins 84-74 over Clayton State Wednesday; Lakers to play at GC&SU Sat. 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- February 11, 2004 --- Metro-Atlanta and conference rival Kennesaw State, led by the PBC leading scorer and rebounder, Denisha Ferguson, cruised to an 84-74 victory over Clayton State Wednesday at the Athletics & Fitness Center in Morrow, GA. 

Each team got off to a quick start in the first half and traded baskets until the Owls’ Larvisha West (Statenville, GA) hit a three-pointer with 10:36 remaining for the second tie of the game. After grabbing an offensive rebound, Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) gave the Lakers a two-point advantage and Clayton State climbed to an eight-point lead 29-21 with 5:22 remaining. 

After a 30-second timeout, the Owls went on a scoring frenzy with 17 points in five minutes.  Larvisha West (Statenville, GA) sparked the Owls with eight points during the stretch including two 3-point field goals.  Kennesaw state outscored Clayton State 17-5 and battled from an eight-point deficit to reclaim a 38-34 halftime lead. 

Kennesaw State continued its offensive dominance in the second half and charged to a 16-point lead 73-57 with 3:15 remaining behind Denisha Ferguson (Clarksville, TN) who scored 15 points in the half. Clayton State then went on a 14-5 run and held the Owls scoreless for two minutes.  During the run the Lakers hit (6-of-7) free throws and cut the deficit to eight points with 1:48 remaining. 

The Lakers had four opportunities to score in the final minute of the game and came up short in their comeback effort against Kennesaw State. Clayton State shot 49 percent (28-of-57) from the field and connected on 3-of-8 three point attempts. As a team Clayton State shot an impressive 83 percent (15-of-18) from the free throw line. 

            The Owls had four players in double digits, including Ferguson who recorded a “double-double” with 20 points and 10 rebounds. West added 17 points followed by Kristina Usaite (Klaipeda, Lithuania) with 16 points and Lauren Gaines (Cumming, GA) with 12 points.  Kennesaw State outrebounded the Lakers 35-29. 

Hindsman led the Lakers in scoring with 17 points, while Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) added 13 points and eight rebounds and Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) and Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) chipped in with 10 points.  

Clayton State women fall 65-46 to Columbus State; to host USC Spartanburg Saturday  

Columbus, GA --- February 4, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team got off to a slow start Wednesday and was never able to catch up, falling 65-46 to Peach Belt Conference foe Columbus State at the Lumpkin Center in Columbus, GA. 

Clayton State shot only 21 percent (6-of-28) from the field in the first half and fell behind by 12 points, 17-5, in the first eight minutes of the game. Clayton State answered and came back to cut the deficit to five points, 22-17, at the 4:33 mark on a basket by junior Dawn Baldwin (Jonesboro, GA). 

The Lakers would come no closer, as Columbus State went on a 10-3 run over the final four minutes of the second half and led 32-20 at halftime on a basket by Karina Pulici. The Cougars exploded for a 32-13 stretch in the first seven minutes of the second half game and led 53-30 on a three-pointer by Pulici with 12:55 remaining. 

Clayton State struggled from the field, hitting 27 percent (13-of-49) from the floor, its second lowest shooting percentage of the season. The Cougars held the Lakers to a season low 25 percent (16-of-64) in the two schools first meeting in Morrow earlier this season. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 10-10 on the season and 2-7 in the Peach Belt. Columbus State improves to 10-9 overall and 5-4 in the league. Clayton State will return to action on Saturday, hosting the University of South Carolina Spartanburg in a 5:30 p.m. game. 

Columbus State shot 50 percent (27-of-54) from the field for the game and was led by the trio of Erin Gibbs, Angelica Graham and Karina Pulici. Gibbs finished with 18 points, hitting 7-of-11 from the floor, while Graham finished with 16 points, also hitting 7-of-11 from the floor. Pulici chipped in 14 points, hitting and 6-of-10 from the floor. Pulici grabbed a game high 13 rebounds, followed by Gibbs with nine boards.  

For Clayton State, sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) scored 11 points, followed junior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) with 10 points and four rebounds. Senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) chipped in nine points and had five rebounds. 

Columbus State had 24 turnovers compared to 17 for Clayton State but controlled the boards, outrebounding the Lakers 41-25.

###

Clayton State defense leads to 62-52 win over
USCA in women’s Peach Belt action Saturday 

Game Stats
Aiken, SC --- January 31, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team flexed its defensive muscles in the second half Wednesday against the University of South Carolina Aiken and came away with a 62-52 victory at the Courthouse in Aiken, S.C. 

Clayton State held the Pacers to six points in the first 10 minutes of the second half to take control of the game. The Laker defense was the difference in the second half, as the squad held USCA to 29 percent (10-of-35) shooting from the floor, including 0-of-9 from three-point territory. 

Trailing 30-29 at halftime, the Lakers went on a 23-8 run and led by 14 points, 52-38 at the nine-minute mark on a three-pointer by sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL), one of her three in the game. 

After Clayton State had a cold shooting spell of its own in the second half, the Pacers cut the deficit to single digits in the final three minutes. A three-point play by senior Katie Mitchell (Gilbert, AZ) cut the margin to seven points, 55-48, with 2:32 remaining. USCA cut further into the Laker lead at the 1:13 mark as junior Benazura Serbecic (Banovici, Bosnia) stuck back in a basket off a rebound. 

Clayton State answered down the stretch, hitting 6-of-8 free throws to seal the 10-point victory. Junior Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA), senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) and junior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) all hit free throws in the final 1:09 of the game. 

Hindsman led the offense with nine of her team-high 11 points in the second half for Lakers, while Taylor pulled 10 of her team high 11 rebounds in the period. 

The Laker win is the second Peach Belt Conference victory in a row and gives the club a 10-9 record overall and a 2-6 mark in the league. USC Aiken drops to 11-7 overall and 3-4 in the conference. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, traveling to face Columbus State University in a 5:30 p.m. game. 

Along with Hindsman, Clayton State’s Taylor and Anderson each added 11 points, while junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) finished with six points and seven rebounds. Junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) finished with a game high seven assists. 

For USCA, Mitchell finished with a game high 13 points, followed by Serbecic with 12 points and a game high 15 rebounds. Senior Erica Larsen (Stockton, CA) finished with 11 points and six boards. 

Clayton State women upset #17 Armstrong 
Atlantic 84-77 in Peach Belt action 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- January 28, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team upset the nation’s 17^th-ranked squad Wednesday, and in the process, captured a historic win for head coach A.C. McCullers.  

The Clayton State women defeated Peach Belt Conference rival Armstrong Atlantic State University 84-77 Wednesday, only the third time in school history that the program has defeated a nationally ranked team. The win was also a historic one for McCullers, as it was his 700^th coaching victory, combing both high school and college wins.  

After a competitive first half leaving Clayton State down 36-34, the Lakers connected on their first four field goals of the second half to take a 42-36 advantage with 17:37 remaining in regulation. The Lakers capitalized on Pirate mistakes, as they made 24-of-29 from the line in the second half.  

Forcing 12 second half turnovers by the Pirates, the Lakers were able to convert many of these into fast-break baskets. The Lakers also took their shooting up a notch in the second half, hitting 48 percent (12-of-25) from the field and 83 percent (24-of-29) at the line.  

            Juniors Brandi Catia, (Jacksonville, FL) and Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) and sophomore Cynthia (Fort de France, Martinique) led the offensive attack in the second half, as the trio combined to hit 9-of-11 shots from the field. Junior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) pulled down seven second half rebounds.            

            Catia led the Lakers with 19 points, followed by Hindsman and Conseil each with 13. Junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA), whose pull-up jumper at 14:50 gave CCSU their largest lead at 49-38 added 11 points. Sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) chipped in 10 points.  

            Senior Tasha Washington (Phoenix, AZ) led Armstrong State with a game-high 24 points, followed by senior Vandy Noldon (Wasco, CA) with 18 points. Freshman Kaneetha Gordon (Savannah, GA) had a team high seven rebounds for the Pirates. 

Clayton State women fall 64-59 to UNC Pembroke; to host Armstrong State on Wed.

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- January 24, 2004 --- The University of North Carolina Pembroke held off a late run by the Clayton College & State University women’s team to capture its first Peach Belt Conference victory of the season, downing the Lakers 64-59 at the Athletics & Fitness Center in Morrow, GA.  

Both teams entered Saturday’s game searching for their first conference win and battled hard down the stretch. The game was close throughout the first half with five ties and three lead changes, but UNC Pembroke hit three consecutive three-pointers to take a 32-26 halftime lead. 

The Lakers chipped away at the Braves’ lead in the second half after two consecutive turnovers and fouls by UNCP. Clayton State had to go without its leading scorer and rebounder in the game, junior forward Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA), who went down with an injury midway through the second half.  

 Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) hit four free throws off the two fouls and tied the game at 55-55 with 3:49 remaining. Junior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) hit a shot off the glass on the Lakers next possession that gave them a 57-55 lead. Clayton State led by three points with 2:29 remaining, but UNC Pembroke regained the lead on a three-pointer by Kristian Vaughan (College Station, TX) with just over a minute on the clock. 

Natasha Stotler (Altoona, PA) drained 3-of-4 free throws in the final minute to give the Braves a three-point, 62-59, lead with 10 seconds remaining. Clayton State had one opportunity to tie the game with a three-pointer, but a turnover on the in-bound pass sealed the win for UNC Pembroke.  

 Clayton State had three players in double figures, including Brown with 15 points and 11 rebounds, Taylor with 14, and Hindsman with 13.  Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) also pulled down 11 rebounds for Clayton State. 

Stotler and Lindsay Bartholf (Pittsford, NY) carried the Braves with 23 and 22 points respectively.  They scored all but 14 of the team’s 64 points and shot a combined 17-of-34 from the field.  

As a team, the Lakers shot 33 percent from the field, while UNC Pembroke shot 40 percent.  The Braves hit 82 percent of its free throws on 9-of-11 shooting.  The Lakers connected on 10-of-17 from the charity stripe for 59 percent. 

Laker women fall 68-45 to Columbus State Wed.; 
to host UNC Pembroke Saturday 

Morrow, GA --- January 21, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball dropped its fifth Peach Belt Conference game of the season Wednesday, falling 68-45 to Columbus State University at the Athletics & Fitness Center in Morrow, GA.  

Trailing 29-20 at halftime, Clayton State was outscored 39-25 in the second half. The Cougars led by double-digits the entire second half and pushed their lead to as many as 27 points, 66-39, on a three-pointer by sophomore Erin Gibbs (Snellville, GA) with 4:15 remaining.  

The Lakers struggled offensively, shooting only 25 percent (16-of-64) from the floor, including 11 percent (2-of-18) from three-point territory. Columbus State shot 43 percent (25-of-58) from the field for the game, including 56 percent (15-of-27) from the floor and 63 percent (7-of-11) from three-point land in the second half. 

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 8-8 on the season and 0-5 in the Peach Belt. Columbus State improves to 9-6 overall and 4-1 in the league. The Lakers will return to action on Saturday, hosting the University of North Carolina Pembroke in a 2 p.m. Peach Belt game.  

Junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) led the Lakers with 11 points and eight rebounds, followed by senior Kate Kauffman (Lilburn, GA) with seven points.  

Lander’s Mauney hits two three-pointers to down Clayton State in PBC women’s action Saturday 

Game Stats
Greenwood, SC --- January 16, 2004 --- Lander University’s Quiannta Mauney scored her first basket of the game with 1:54 remaining Saturday, draining a three-pointer and then came back 28 seconds later to hit another to lead the Bearcats to an 80-70 win over Clayton College & State University at Horne Arena in Greenwood, SC. 

Mauney’s first three-pointer gave Lander a 72-68 lead with 1:54 remaining. After a senior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) basket, Mauney (Spartanburg, GA) came right back and gave the Bearcats a five-point lead, 75-70, with 1:26 remaining with another three-pointer. Lander held the Lakers scoreless in the final minute and hit five free throws to seal the victory. 

Clayton State held Lander to 36 percent shooting from the field but was plagued by turnovers, as the squad committed 18 turnovers compared to only seven for the Bearcats. Clayton State matched a season high shooting percentage of 46 percent from the field but took 22 fewer shots than the Bearcats, due to turnovers and Lander’s 45-41 rebounding edge. 

The Lakers also hit only 61 percent (14-of-23) from the free throw line, including 53 percent (9-of-17) in the second half. Lander hit 83 percent from the line, hitting 19-of-23 attempts. 

 With the loss, the Lakers drop their fourth straight Peach Belt Conference game and fall to 8-7 overall and 0-4 in the league. Lander improves to 11-3 on the season and 3-1 in the Peach Belt. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Columbus State University in a 5:30 p.m. game. 

Clayton State led by seven points, 35-28, at halftime and took its largest lead of the second half at the 16:14 mark on a basket by junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA), giving the Lakers a six-point, 41-35 lead. Lander answered with a 9-2 run and took its first lead of the half on a basket by junior Tracy Jacobs (Shaker Heights, OH) with 11:17 remaining. 

After the lead swapped back-and-forth in the next five minutes, Clayton State ran out to a five-point lead at the 6:06 mark on the second of two free throws by junior Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA), giving the Lakers a 64-59 lead. 

The Bearcats answered and after four straight free throws by junior guard Ashley Johnson (Knoxville, TN) tied the game at 67 apiece with 4:15 remaining. Jacobs gave the Bearcats a two-point lead, 69-67 with 2:30 remaining, followed by Mauney hitting her two game deciding three-pointers. 

Hindsman led the Lakers with 17 points, followed by junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) and junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) with 13 points each. Taylor finished with 10 points. Catia had a game high eight rebounds and Hindsman had a game high five assists. 

#25 Armstrong State downs Clayton State 75-63 in
Peach Belt action; Lakers to face Lander on Sat.

Game Stats   
Savannah, GA --- January 14, 2004 --- Facing its second nationally ranked squad in three games, the Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team picked the wrong time to go into a shooting slump. 

The Lakers dropped their third straight Peach Belt Conference game Wednesday, falling 75-63 to 25^th-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State University at Alumni Arena in Savannah, GA. 

Clayton State shot under 36 percent from the field for the third straight game, dropping its record to 8-6 on the season and 0-3 in the league. The Lakers will try to get back on the winning track on Saturday, traveling to face Lander in a 5:30 p.m. game. Armstrong State improves to 11-3 and 2-1 in the league. 

Trailing by 17 points with 15:26 remaining in the game, the Lakers had their share of runs in the second half but were unable to cut the deficit to less than eight points. Clayton State trailed by nine points, 49-40, with 12:59 remaining on a free throw by junior Cynthia Conseil (Fort de France, Martinique) only to have AASU answer with two straight baskets and push its lead to 13 points, 53-40, at the 12:30 mark. 

The Lakers came back five minutes later and cut the deficit to eight points, 59-51, on a three-pointer by Conseil, but AASU answered again, pushing its lead back to double digits with four straight points to lead 63-51 with 7:06 remaining. 

Clayton State made one last run, once again cutting the deficit to eight points, 68-60, with 2:44 remaining on a three-pointer by junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA), followed by a basket by junior Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA). AASU responded, however, and outscored the Lakers 7-1 over the next two minutes to seal the victory. 

Conseil led the Lakers with a career high 16 points, hitting 4-of-8 from the field, 2-of-3 from three-point land and 6-of-9 from the free throw line. Brown finished with 15 points and nine boards, followed by junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) with 13 points and seven boards. Hindsman finished with 11 points and five rebounds. 

For Armstrong State, Vandy Noldon had a game high 18 points, followed by Briana Milam with 11 points and Marloes Renskers and Ramona Wright with 10 points apiece. Wright also finished with a game high 10 boards. 

Neither team shot particularly well from the field, as the Lakers hit 19-of-56 shots, compared to Armstrong State, hitting 28-of-75 shots for 37 percent. The Pirates outrebounded the Lakers 46-43 and committed 14 turnovers compared to 18 for Clayton State. 

Lady Patriots drain 10 three-pointers to down Clayton State 72-57 in PBC action

Game Stats
Florence, SC --- January 10, 2004 --- The Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team got off to a “red-hot” 18-4 start Saturday, but cooled quickly, only to have Francis Marion University catch fire from behind the three-point arc, en route to a 72-57 Peach Belt Conference victory at the Smith University Center in Florence, S.C. 

The Lakers raced out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, capped by a basket from Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) at the 17:03 mark. Clayton State pushed its lead to 14 points, 18-4, three minutes later on a layup by junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA). 

Francis Marion battled back, however, thanks to torrid three-point shooting, hitting five three-pointers in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Junior guard Jennifer Howard (Raleigh, NC) cut the deficit to four points, 22-18, with 5:42 remaining with a three-pointer, followed by tying the score at 26 apiece, two minutes later hitting another three-pointer. 

The Patriots took their first lead of the game, 28-27, on a basket by senior Marta Losonczy (Munich, Germany) and led 33-29 at halftime as freshman Jennifer Dewell (Sugar Grove, VA) drained at three-pointer with 1:21 remaining. FMU led 33-29 at intermission, outscoring the Lakers 29-11 over the final 14 minutes of the half. 

After falling behind by 11 points, 44-33, with 14:28 remaining in the second half, the Lakers went on a 12-4 run over a five-minute stretch and cut the lead to two points, 45-43, with 10:45 remaining on a basket by junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA). 

Clayton State would come no closer though, as Francis Marion went on a 8-0 run and pushed its lead to double digits, thanks in large part to two three pointers, one from Howard and another from sophomore Danielle Moore (Owings Mill, MD), giving the Patriots a 55-45 lead with 8:06 remaining. Francis Marion led by at least eight points for the remainder of the game and by double-digits for the final three minutes of the contest. 

With the loss, the Lakers drop to 8-5 on the season and to 0-2 in the Peach Belt. The Lakers will have to regroup quickly as the squad will travel to face 24^th ranked and defending Peach Belt Conference champion Armstrong Atlantic State University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. 

Hindsman and junior post Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) led the Laker attack with 14 points, followed by Brown with 13 points. Brown had a team-high nine rebounds, followed by Catia with eight. 

For FMU, Howard finished with a game high 19 points, followed by Moore with 13 points. Junior Michelle Ghere (Long Beach, MS) finished with nine points and seven rebounds. 

Francis Marion shot 54 percent (25-of-46) from the field, including 67 percent (10-of-15) from three-point land. The Lakers finished the game at 36 percent (23-of-64) and only 1-of-16 from three-point territory. 

Clayton State outrebounded the Patriots 36-27 and had two fewer turnovers but could not overcome FMU’s standout shooting. FMU’s 10 three-pointers was a season high. 

The Lakers fall to 9-2 all-time against Patriots and have lost three straight to the Patriots. 

#2 North Florida improves to 12-0 with 55-45 Peach Belt win over Clayton State Wednesday 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --– January 7, 2004 --- The second-ranked University of North Florida women’s basketball team pushed its unbeaten streak to 12 games Wednesday, downing Clayton College & State University 55-45 in both school’s Peach Belt Conference openers at the Athletics & Fitness Center.    

Clayton State jumped out to an early 5-0 advantage led by junior guard Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) who scored three points to open to the game.  The Lakers led by eight points with five minutes remaining before Skye Barber (Jacksonville, FL) ignited North Florida on an 11-2 run scoring four points to go into halftime up by one- point, 24-23. 

Latisha Perry (Indianapolis, IA) was the high-scorer for the Ospreys with 13 points and four steals.  Barber who leads the team in scoring, recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds, followed by Natalie Hicks (Severna Park, MD), adding 10 points.  

Clayton State cut the Ospreys deficit to six points with 1:47 remaining in the second half thanks to solid free throw shooting by junior forward Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) who was a perfect 6-of-6 from the line in the final three minutes and 8-of-8 for the game. North Florida kept its composure and held its lead behind Perry and Hicks who scored seven of the team’s last 10 points. 

Cold shooting hurt the Lakers in their comeback effort missing its last five shots in the game. Hindsman led all scorers with 15 points shooting 5-of-7 from the field, followed by Brown who chipped in 13 points and nine rebounds.  For the Lakers, Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. 

Neither team shot well from the field with North Florida shooting 29 percent (19-of-66) and Clayton State hitting 27 percent (13-of-48).  The Ospreys just edged Clayton State in rebounding with a 45-42 advantage. The Lakers committed 24 turnovers compared to 14 for North Florida. 

Clayton State drops to 8-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Ospreys remain undefeated at 12-0 and move to 1-0 in the Peach Belt Conference.  The Lakers will go on a three-game conference road trip starting Saturday, traveling to Francis Marion before returning home Wednesday, January 21 to face Columbus State in a 5:30 p.m. game.  Next up for North Florida, the Ospreys will host USC Spartanburg on Saturday.   

#CCSU#

Clayton State women’s basketball blasts Newberry 77-42 Mon.; to open Peach Belt schedule Wed., hosting #3 North Florida 

Morrow, GA --- January 5, 2004 --- Coming off a heartbreaking two-point loss in the finals of the Arrowhead Clinic Holiday tournament last week, the Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team bounced back in a big way Monday, blasting Newberry College 77-42 in a non-conference game in Newberry, S.C. 

Clayton State took control of the contest from the opening tip and led 22 points, 39-17 at halftime on a layup by junior April Taylor (Memphis, TN). CCSU led by at least 19 points for the remainder of the game, en route to its 35-point victory.  

Sophomore Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) led the squad with a career high 21 points in the game, breaking her personal best set only two games ago of 18 points against St. Paul’s College in the first round of the Arrowhead Tournament. 

Behind Anderson’s 22 points, junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) and junior Jamika Hindsman were also in double-figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) finished with a team high 12 rebounds.  

With the win, the Lakers improve to 8-3 on the season, while Newberry drops to 3-8. Clayton State will return to action on Wednesday, opening its Peach Belt Conference schedule against the University of North Florida. The Lady Ospreys, who advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight last year, will enter the game undefeated at 11-0 and ranked third in the nation. 

Clayton State split with UNF last year, winning 57-47 in Morrow behind 16 points from Brown, followed by falling 71-60 to the Lady Ospreys in Jacksonville. North Florida leads in the all-time series against Clayton State 8-5.  

##CCSU##

Last second shot falls short for Lakers; Carson-Newman wins Arrowhead Clinic Championship 66-64 Mon. 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- December 29, 2003 --- Senior Andrea Fitzgerald (Memphis, TN) hit the game-winning shot with seven seconds remaining, giving Carson-Newman a 66-64 victory over Clayton State in the championship game of the Arrowhead Clinic Tournament Monday at the Athletics & Fitness Center.   

Carson-Newman enjoyed its largest lead of the game at six points with 11 minutes remaining in the first half. Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) led the way with eight of her 15 points for the Lakers who went on an 18-8 run to take a 10-point lead into halftime.   

With 8:22 remaining, Carson-Newman tied the game at 50-50 on a shot by Stacie Dunn (Newport, TN) with an assist from Amy Cate (Strawberry Plains, TN). The game was tight down the stretch with each team trading baskets.  Tiffany Parker (Newnan, GA) gave the Eagles its first lead of the second half 54-52 with a jumper from the free throw line.  

Clayton State took the lead with 1:32 remaining thanks to good free throw shooting by Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) who went 4-4 from the line. However, Fitzgerald, the tournament Most Valuable Player, was unstoppable as she scored the Eagles last six points, including the game-winning basket with seven seconds remaining.   

With one second left the Lakers had one last opportunity to tie the game, but a lay-up by Catia fell short. Clayton State became cold from the field in the final minutes with its last bucket coming at the 6:01 mark on a three-pointer by Cynthia Conseil (Fort de France, Martinque).  Solid free throw shooting from Catia, Hindsman, and Dawn Baldwin (Jonesboro, GA), who hit 7-of-8, kept the Lakers alive during the decisive five-minute span.  

Carson-Newman held Clayton State to 27 percent (8-of-30) shooting from the field in the second half.  The Eagles made twice as many baskets in the second half shooting 49 percent (16-0f-33), led by Fitzgerald who scored a game-high 21 points followed by Kedrin Madar (Lebanon, NH) with 13 points and a game-high nine assists. 

Fitzgerald and Catia were named to the All-Tournament team along with Nicole Averett (Clinton, AR) from Carson-Newman, Clayton State’s Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL), West Georgia’s Tabatha Washington (Baton Rouge, LA), and St. Paul’s Quisannah Noel (Orange, NJ). 

            The Eagles improve its record to 5-6 on the season and claim the 2003 Arrowhead Clinic Tournament championship. 

Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds along with Catia who added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lakers. Clayton State finishes second in the Tournament and drops to 7-3 on the season. Clayton State will return to action on January 5 to face Newberry College before returning home on January 7, hosting Peach Belt Conference opponent North Florida in a 5:30 p.m. game.

##CCSU##

WEST GA WOMEN END LOSING STREAK AGAINST ST. PAUL'S

Morrow, Ga - December 29, 2003 - The losing streak is over. Monday in the Arrowhead Clinic Holiday tournament at Clayton State, the West Georgia Braves finally entered the win column, cruising to a 64-51 victory over the St. Paul's Tigers.

Three Braves scored in double figures, including two double-doubles. Tabatha Washington's 18 points led the way, followed by Quamesha McDowell with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Nikki Blakely with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

West Georgia jumped out to a quick lead, holding the Tigers scoreless for the first four minutes of the contest. The Braves biggest lead came with 6:27 left in the first half, a 26-9 advantage.

The two biggest keys for the win were ball movement and defense for West Georgia, as the Braves committed just five personal fouls on the afternoon and only one in the opening half.

The Braves had 19 assists in the game, and held the Tigers to just 27 percent from the floor on the game.

Three-pointers propel Clayton State to a 78-49 win over St. Pauls in Arrowhead Tourney Sun. 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- December 28, 2003 --- The three-pointer reigned supreme for Clayton State as the Lakers set a school record for three-point field goals made with 11 en route to a 78-49 smashing of St. Paul’s College in the Arrowhead Clinic Tournament Sunday at the Athletics & Fitness Center. 

The Lakers were red hot from behind the arc scoring 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting. Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) scored all of her game-high 18 points from behind the three-point line on 6-of-8 shooting.  Anderson was one three-pointer shy of tying the school record for three-point field goals made in a game, set in 2002 by Jo Kimbrel.  

The Lakers opened the game on an 8-0 run sparked by April Taylor (Memphis, TN) who scored five points during the stretch.  A shot by Azizi O”Bryant (Orange, NJ) at the 15:13 mark ended the scoring drought for the Tigers. In the second half, St. Paul’s cut the 22-point half-time deficit to 15 points, but that was as close as the Tigers would come.  O’Bryant scored seven of her 12 points to help trim the Lakers lead. 

The Lakers dominated the boards with 49 rebounds compared to 32 for the Tigers.  Clayton State shot 58 percent from the three-point line and St. Paul shot 23 percent (6-of-26).  Quisannah Noel (Orange, NJ) led the Tigers with 13 points, five rebounds and five assists. 

            Taylor pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds for Clayton State to go along with her five points.  Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) added 15 points and five rebounds followed by Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.   

Carson-Newman defeats West Georgia 52-49 in the Arrowhead Clinic Tournament Sunday 

Game Stats
Morrow, GA --- December 28, 2003 --- Carson-Newman withstood a late second half West Georgia rally to claim a 52-49 victory in the Arrowhead Clinic Tournament Sunday at the Athletics & Fitness Center on the campus of Clayton College & State University. 

Carson-Newman led by 10 points in the second half until West Georgia went on a 15-7 run with 7:46 remaining in the game to tie score at 40. Tabatha Washington (Baton Rouge, LA) scored nine of her game-high 21 points during the stretch to lead the Braves.   

The Eagles opened up a five-point lead with 2:33 remaining on a shot by Tiffany Parker (Newman, GA) who chipped in nine points and nine rebounds for Carson-Newman. Andrea Fitzgerald (Memphis, TN) led the Eagles with 16 points going 7-of-14 from the field. Stacie Dunn (Newport, TN) also added nine points and eight rebounds. 

West Georgia was solid from the free throw line shooting 88 percent (7-of-8), while Carson-Newman shot 50 percent (9-of-18).  Carson-Newman had the rebounding advantage with 36 compared to 34 for West Georgia.  

Quamesha McDowell (Cleveland, OH) and Nikki Blakely (Brookhaven, MS) both scored eight points for West Georgia.  McDowell went 4-of-4 from the free throw line and also had a game-high nine rebounds.  Neither team shot well from the behind the arc, West Georgia shot 18 percent (2-of-11) and Carson-Newman shot 14 percent (1-of-7).  

The Eagles improve to 4-6 on the season and will advance to the championship game Monday at 3 p.m. to face the winner of the Clayton State and St. Paul’s match-up. West Georgia falls to 0-8 and will play in the consolation game Monday at 1 p.m.

Clayton State women fall to Nova Southeastern 86-80 in overtime at Cruzin’ Classic  

Game Stats
West Palm Beach, FL --– December 18, 2003 --- After knocking off the nation’s 11^th–ranked team on Wednesday, the Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team stumbled on Thursday, falling 86-80 in overtime to Nova Southeastern University in the Cruzin’ Classic in West Palm Beach, FL.  

Clayton State led by five points, 65-60, with 4:34 remaining on a basket by junior Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA) only to have Nova storm back into the game in the final minutes. The Knights outscored the Lakers 7-2 in a two-minute stretch and tied the game at 67 apiece with 2:47 remaining.  

Junior Brandi Catia (Jacksonville, FL) hit one of two free throws to give the Lakers a 68-67 lead with 2:05 remaining. After a Nova miss and a Clayton State turnover, followed by turnovers by each team, the Knights retook the lead, 69-68, on a Jessica Pate basket off a rebound with 25 seconds remaining.  

Clayton State still had a chance in regulation as junior guard Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) was fouled with four seconds remaining. She hit the second of two free throws to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, Nova raced out to an early lead on a three-pointer by Kiara Wallace and never looked back. The Knights led by seven points, 80-73, with 1:08 remaining.   

With the loss, the Lakers drop to 6-2 on the season, while Nova Southeastern improves to 1-7 on the year. The Lakers will take off for the holidays before returning to action on Dec. 28-29, hosting the Arrowhead Clinic Tournament at the Athletics & Fitness Center. Along with Clayton State, Carson-Newman, St. Pauls and West Georgia will play in the event. Clayton State will open the tournament on Sunday at 3 p.m. against St. Pauls.  

Clayton State led much of the first half and took its largest lead of the game with 2:13 remaining in the period, as Brown drained a three-pointer, giving the Lakers a nine-point, 36-27, lead. The Lakers led 36-33 at intermission.  

For the Lakers, Hindsman finished with 20 points, followed by Catia and Brown with 15 points and seven rebounds apiece. Senior April Taylor (Memphis, TN) chipped in nine points. Junior Myeshia Choice (Thomasville, GA) had a season-high 10 assists to go along with four steals. Brown also had four steals.  

Marvelous Washington led Nova Southeastern with 24 points, followed by Wallace with 19 points. Pate chipped in 19 points, followed by Mechelle Jones with 12. Pate also had a game-high 10 rebounds.  

Clayton State women’s basketball upsets #11 Bellarmine 75-63 in Cruzin’ Classic

Game Stats   
West Palm Beach, FL --– December 17, 2003 --- Off to its best start in school history, the Clayton College & State University women’s basketball team captured one of its biggest wins ever Wednesday, downing #11 Bellarmine University 75-63 in the Cruzin’ Classic hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL.  

The 12-point win is only the second time in school history the Laker program has defeated a nationally ranked team, as Bellarmine entered the game ranked 11^th in the latest USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Division II Top 25 Coaches poll. Clayton State defeated the University of South Carolina Aiken last year when the Pacers were ranked in the top 25.  

Bellarmine, a Division II school out of Louisville, KY, competes in Great Lakes Valley Conference and entered the contest with a 7-1 record. The team finished last year with a 21-10 record, which included a first-round victory in the NCAA Division II national tournament. Clayton State improves to the 6-1 on the season, matching last year’s best start in school history.  

Clayton State’s defense, which is holding opponents to a PBC low 33 percent from the floor, shined again, holding the Lady Knights to just 32 percent (22-of-68) shooting from the floor, including only 20 percent (7-of-35) in the first half. The defensive pressure also caused 20 turnovers.  

Senior forward April Taylor (Memphis, TN) led the Clayton State attack in the victory, with a season-high 18 points to go along with seven boards. Junior guard Jamika Hindsman (East Point, GA) had 15 points, five rebounds and seven assists.  

Apryl Brown (Lawrenceville, GA), a senior forward, chipped in eight points to go along with seven boards, while sophomore guard Carlie Anderson (Hokes Bluff, AL) also had eight points. Junior center Brandi Catia finished with six points and a team-high eight boards.  

For Bellarmine, Shante Bowens had a game-high 21 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Lynne Johnson with 16 points and Lyndsey Neal with 11. 

After leading 28-22 at intermission, the Lakers trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half before storming back to outscore the Lady Knights 47-41 in the second half and pull out the 12-point win.  

Clayton State finished the game, shooting 39 percent (30-of-78) from the floor, including 46 percent (17-of-37) in the second half. The Lakers were outrebounded 55-45 but committed only 11 turnovers in the game. 

                The Lakers will return to action on Thursday, facing Nova Southeastern in the Cruzin’ Classic in West Palm Beach, FL. The team’s next home games will be Dec. 28-29, hosting the Arrowhead Clinic at the Athletics & Fitness Center in Morrow, GA. Along with Clayton State, Carson-Newman, St. Pauls and West Georgia will play in the event. Clayton State will open the tournament on Sunday at 3 p.m. against St. Pauls. 

Late second half rally gives Clayton State
a 67-62 victory over West Alabama Saturday

Game Stats 
Morrow, GA --– December 6, 2003 --- After trailing most of the second half, Clayton State women’s basketball team took its first lead with six minutes remaining and never looked back en route to a 67-62 victory over