Laker women edge Carson-Newman on Jackson’s
last-second lay-up
Newcomer Jennings paces seventh-ranked Clayton State with 18 points

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - November 17, 2007 – The Clayton State Laker women’s basketball made it successful first weekend of the season on Saturday as the Lakers edged Carson-Newman 68-67 in the Eagle Club Classic at Carson-Newman. The victory was the second straight to start the 2007-08 season for seventh-ranked Clayton State.

In a rematch of last season’s first round NCAA Division II National Tournament game, the two teams played tight throughout. However, the Lakers’ Lynette Jackson scored the game-winner with 20 seconds remaining to give Clayton State the one-point victory.

Carson-Newman (0-2) had one final chance to win the game, but Jackson came up big again, blocking a last-second shot by the Eagles’ Emily Mason.

From the start, it looked like a possible runaway for Clayton State. The Lakers jumped out to a quick 16-2 lead behind two 3-point baskets by Marie St. Fort. St. Fort then drilled another 3-point basket to make the Laker lead 26-13 at the 7:33 mark before Carson-Newman closed out the half on a 18-8 run to trail 34-31 at the break.

The lead changed sides eight times in the second half.

Carson-Newman took its first lead of the game 37-36 on two free throws by Mason, only to have Clayton State respond with a 3-point basket by Roberta Phillips and a 53-51 Laker lead with 10:34 remaining. After Carson-Newman tied the game again, Dominique Jennings drained a 3-point basket at the 3:16 mark to give the Lakers a 64-61 lead.

However, Carson-Newman tied it twice in the final two minutes and then took a 67-66 lead on a free throw by Shari Buford with a minute remaining. But Jackson grabbed two offensive rebounds before scoring the game-winner in the waning seconds of the game.

Jennings paced Clayton State with 18 points on four 3-point baskets, followed by St. Fort with 17 points and three 3-point baskets. Phillips scored 13 points for the Lakers on four 3-point baskets, and Shanrika Hardeman added eight points. For the game, Clayton State made 11 3-point baskets.

Ashley Tipton paced Carson-Newman with 18 points, while Mason and Angela Volentine each scored 10 points.

Clayton State plays its home opener on Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. against Tuskegee at the Athletics and Fitness Center.