Eight straight! Clayton State women roll past visiting Lander 87-71
Wiles pours in 22 points as 14th-ranked Clayton State improves to 14-1 and 4-0 in PBC

MORROW, Ga. — JANUARY 13, 2007 — A balanced offense and another superb suffocating defense was the perfect mix for the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team on Saturday as it rolled past visiting Lander 87-71 in Peach Belt Conference action at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The victory was the eighth straight for 14th-ranked Clayton State, which is now 14-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in the Peach Belt Conference. The eight straight victories are the third most consecutive victories for the Lakers in their program history.

Clayton State spread the wealth offensively as five players reached double-figures in scoring. However, senior wing Sharon Wiles was the catalyst in this game. Wiles scored a season-high 22 points on an impressive 10-for-12 shooting from the field, dished out six assists and had six steals to keep her amongst the nation’s leaders in that category.

In the second half alone, Wiles scored 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting from the field, spearheading the Lakers as they shot 54 percent from the field in the second half.

Leading by seven points at halftime, Wiles ignited the Lakers with some instant offense. She converted a lay-up in transition to give Clayton State a 44-35 lead with 17:46 remaining, followed by a 3-point basket at the 16:57 mark to increase the Laker lead to 50-37.

The closest Lander could cut into the Clayton State was seven points. Leading by 10 points, Clayton State put the clamps on the Bearcats with a 9-0 run over a two-minute span. Wiles’ jump shot off the baseline gave the Lakers a 67-48 lead at the 9:09 mark, the largest lead of the game for Clayton State.

In addition to Wiles, Shantel Ragin continued her ever-improving offensive attack with 15 points, while Roberta Phillips and Nikkisha Pritchett each scored 12 points and Alecia Humphrey added 10 points. Clayton State committed only 12 turnovers, while forcing 27 Lander turnovers. The Laker bench was also a key factor as Clayton State outscored Lander in points off the bench 21-0-.

Center Stephanie Ponds had a stellar game for Lander (6-8, 1-3), recording a double-double with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Guard Tiara Good scored 19 points and dished out 11 assists for a double-double, while Bryony Crouch added 12 points for the Bearcats.

Clayton State travels to in-state rival Columbus State for a key Peach Belt Conference South Division showdown on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.