Armstrong Atlantic edges Clayton State women 68-66 on buzzer-beater
Phillips scores 16 points as Lakers fall in Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals

AIKEN, S.C. – March 6, 2008 – The Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team was behind the 8-Ball for much of its Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinal match-up against Armstrong Atlantic on Thursday, but would not fold down to the final seconds.

However, a baseline jump shot by Lacy Willis with two seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner as seventh-seeded Armstrong Atlantic edged Clayton State 68-66 at the USC-Aiken Convocation Center. The defeat drops Clayton State to 18-10 overall, and now the Lakers will hope for an at-large bid on Sunday to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

“The Peach Belt Conference Tournament is always competitive, but I think everyone knew it would be extremely competitive this year,” said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. “I’ve always felt like the first game of a tournament is always the hardest one.”

“I’m disappointed we didn’t play better early, but I’m pleased with our heart and staying in it.

Clayton State had a cold-shooting first half, hitting only 24 percent from the field and seven percent (1-for-14) from 3-point range in the first half. Armstrong Atlantic, meanwhile, raced out to an early 14-0 lead and coasted to a 30-18 lead at halftime, shooting 44 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range.

The Lakers trailed twice by as many 16 points early in the second half, and found themselves down 56-41 with 6:32 remaining. However, two straight 3-point baskets by Shantel Ragin capped off a 16-5 Clayton State run as the Lakers trimmed the Lady Pirate lead to 61-57 with 2:28 remaining.

 
Armstrong Atlantic extended the lead back to six points, but Clayton State rallied to tie the game in the final seconds. Marie St. Fort drained a 3-point basket with 27 seconds remaining, and Roberta Phillips then stole the inbounds pass and scored the game-tying lay-up with 10 seconds remaining.

 
After a timeout, however, Armstrong Atlantic’s Jasmine Herron pushed the ball through traffic and found Willis on a lob to the baseline. The junior forward then drained the game-winner with two seconds remaining.

 
Phillips scored 16 points for Clayton State, followed by St. Fort with 14 points. Ragin and Dominique Jennings each scored 13 points for the Lakers. Clayton State shot 80 percent from the free throw line, including 88 percent (15-for-17) from the charity stripe in the second half.

 
Clayton State had no answer for Willis as she scored 26 points to lead all scorers. Kaneetha Gordon recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Lindsey Holmes scored 12 points on four 3-point baskets. Armstrong Atlantic shot an impressive 92 percent (12-for-13) from the free throw line.