Clayton State women turn up spark in 100-71 rout over Northwood
Newcomer Jackson paces five Lakers in double-figures with

ST. LEO, Fla. --- NOVEMBER 18, 2006 --- Entering the 2006-07 women’s basketball, there was a lot being said about Clayton State newcomer Lynette Jackson. On Saturday, the junior center showed why all the hype was real.

The 6-foot-4 Jackson turned out a stellar performance as Clayton State closed out a successful opening weekend of the season with a 100-71 rout over Northwood in the Sleep Inn Classic at St. Leo. Jackson scored 19 points on 9-for-14 shooting from the floor as all five Laker starters scored in double-figures.

It marked the first time in program history that the Lakers have reached the century mark scoring in a game.

“They couldn’t stop her (Jackson) inside,” said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. “It was good to get her going. They tried to front her a lot, but she was able to get some easy baskets in the paint.”

For the second straight game, the Lakers’ defensive pressure dictated the game. Clayton State forced Northwood, a first-year NAIA program from West Palm Beach, Fla., into 34 turnovers. Clayton State also took advantage of those Northwood miscues, as half of the Lakers’ 100 points came off turnovers. For the two games of the Sleep Inn Classic, Clayton State forced 75 turnovers.

The Lakers, meanwhile, took care of the ball effectively, committing only 11 turnovers offensively.

Clayton State broke open a close game with an 11-0 run midway through the first half. Nikkisha Pritchett drained a 3-point basket at the 12:36 mark to give the Lakers a 23-15 lead, and Alecia Humphrey’s lay-up with 11:15 remaining increased the lead to 29-15.

Northwood was able to trim the lead to seven points with six minutes remaining, but Clayton State responded to lead by as many as 17 points on five occasions. Humphrey’s lay-up gave the Lakers a 56-39 lead with a minute remaining. Clayton State shot 51 percent from the field in the first half to lead by 16 points at the break.

“We got them to play a transition game, and that worked to our advantage, plus we shot the ball better,” Cox said. “That was the key – getting them to play our game. That helped us tremendously defensively.”

Northwood never trailed by fewer than 18 points in the second half, while Clayton State twice led by as many as 31 points. Shantel Ragin gave the Lakers an 88-57 lead on a lay-up with seven minutes remaining, and a lay-up by Pritchett gave Clayton State a 95-64 lead at the 2:35 mark.

In addition to Jackson, Crystal Brown scored 16 points for Clayton State (2-0), followed by Humphrey with 15 points, Ragin scored 14 points and Sharon Wiles scored 11 points along with nine steals. For Northwood (0-2), Katie Vican scored 17 points and Bari Levy scored 14 points.

Clayton State hits the road on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game at Peach Belt Conference rival Lander. Although Lander is a conference opponent, this will not count as a conference game.