Augusta State strikes quick, downs Clayton State women 79-66
Ragin scores 15 points as 21st-ranked Lakers fall to 7-4 and 2-2 in Peach Belt Conference

AUGUSTA, Ga. – January 5, 2008 – Returning to Peach Belt Conference play for the first time in more than a month, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team never got on track on Saturday as the Lakers dropped a 79-66 decision at in-state rival Augusta State.

The defeat drops 21st-ranked Clayton State to 7-4 overall and an even 2-2 in the Peach Belt.

"We never got the game up and down like we like to do," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. "I know they (Augusta State) shot the ball well, but we never made uncomfortable with our defense. We didn’t show up with our defense, and I know we’re a better defensive team than that."

Cold shooting mired the Lakers in the first half as they managed only 21 percent (7-for-33) from the field and only 1-for-9 (11 percent) from 3-point range. Despite the poor shooting, Clayton State kept the game close until Augusta State went on a 11-2 run over a three-minute stretch.

Brittany Jarrard nailed two 3-point baskets for the Lady Jaguars, and Kenisha Sheppard’s lay-up at the 4:50 mark gave August State a 27-14 lead.

Clayton State trimmed the lead to seven points late as Shanrika Hardeman converted a three-point play. Shantel Ragin’s two free throws with 2:08 remaining brought the Lakers to within seven, 30-23.

However, Augusta State closed out the first half on an 8-0 run as Nicole Mealing and Deo Ngulela each drained 3-point baskets to give the Lady Jaguars a 38-23 lead at the half.

The Lakers never got closer than 10 points in the second half as Augusta State maintained the momentum. Clayton State twice cut the lead to 10 points, including a jump shot by Lisa Jackson to make the Lady Jaguar lead 51-41 with 12:22 remaining.

However, Augusta State responded 3-point baskets each by Mealing and Jarrard to stretch the lead to 17 points. Another 3-point basket by Jarrard gave Augusta State its largest lead of the game 71-50 with 6:15 remaining.

Ragin paced Clayton State with 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field, while Marie St. Fort and Dominique Jennings each scored 10 points. Junior center Kim Larry added nine points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Lakers, who shot only 35 percent from the field for the game, including only 22 percent from 3-point range.

Jarrard scored 21 points on a whopping 5-for-7 from 3-point range for Augusta State (8-2, 2-1). Jasmine Godwin scored 14 points, and Mealing scored 11 points off the bench for the Lady Jaguars. Augusta State shot an impressive 50 percent (10-for-20) from 3-point range.

Clayton State is home on Wednesday for a key Peach Belt Conferenc showdown against in-state rival Columbus State at 5:30 p.m.