Second-half rally lifts USC-Aiken past
Clayton State women 68-64
Ragin scores 14 as 15th-ranked Lakers drop to 16-3 overall and 6-2 in Peach Belt

MORROW, Ga. — JANUARY 27, 2007 — Playing at home for the first time in two weeks on Saturday, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team could not hold on to a double-digit halftime lead against visiting USC-Aiken as the Lady Pacers rallied for a 68-64 Peach Belt Conference victory at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The defeat drops Clayton State to 16-3 overall and 6-2 in the Peach Belt, tied for first place in the South Division with Columbus State. That sets up Wednesday’s showdown for the division lead when the Lakers play host to Columbus State.

After shooting 53 percent from the field in the first half, including 50 percent from 3-point range, the Lakers took a 45-34 lead at halftime. However, the second half was totally opposite as Clayton State managed only 19 percent shooting from the field, including only 12 percent from 3-point range. The Lakers made only five field goals in the second half.

Meanwhile, USC-Aiken fought its way back into the game with a 21-5 run over the first 11 minutes of the second half. Meredith Legg tied the game at 46-46 on a 3-point basket with 15:45 remaining, followed by a lay-up off a back-door play by Avonte Williams to give the Lady Pacers a two-point lead at the 15:04 mark.

USC-Aiken extended the lead to 55-50 on Legg’s jumper with 9:04 remaining.

Clayton State battled back and took a one-point lead 58-57 on Nikkisha Pritchett’s 3-point basket with 5:52 remaining. However, USC-Aiken countered with a lay-up by Satu Leppanen to take a 61-59 with 5:14 remaining.

The Lady Pacers extended the lead to four points, but Clayton State cut the lead to two points on a jumper by Lynette Jackson, and then forced a USC-Aiken turnover with 50 seconds remaining. With the chance to tie or take the lead, the Lakers’ Shantel Ragin missed a running jump shot in the lane, and USC-Aiken got the defensive rebound.

Forced to foul, Clayton State Legg to the free throw line, where she converted two free throws to seal the victory for USC-Aiken with five seconds remaining.

Ragin scored 14 points to pace Clayton State, while Jackson scored 13 points and Roberta Phillips and Marie St. Fort each added 10 points. For USC-Aiken (12-7, 4-4 PBC), Legg scored 13 points, followed by Williams with 11 points and Megan Starnes with 10 points.

The Clayton State-Columbus State showdown is set for Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.