Late charge lifts Columbus State past Clayton State women 71-56
Ragin scores 14 points as Laker women fall to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in the Peach Belt Conference

MORROW, Ga. – Jan. 9, 2008 — The ultra-competitive Clayton State-Columbus State rivalry in women’s basketball was renewed on Wednesday, and the Clayton State Lakers aimed to keep their head-to-head winning streak alive against the visiting Cougars. However, Columbus State put together a late run to preserve a 71-56 victory over the Lakers at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

Clayton State falls to 7-5 overall and 2-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Lakers had won seven straight games against Columbus State coming into Wednesday night’s contest.

Like Saturday’s defeat at Augusta State, the Lakers were cold shooting fromt eh field in the first half, managing only 33 percent shooting from the field and 1-for-11 shooting from 3-point range as Columbus State took a 41-24 lead at halftime. Senior guard Maria Grimes scored 17 first-half points for the Cougars on four 3-point baskets

However, the Lakers caught fire to start the second half with a 19-2 run to tie the game at 43-43. A lay-up by Roberta Phillips and a 3-point play by Lisa Jackson ignited the rally. Another jump shot by Phillps closed the gap to three points, and Jackson’s jumper in the lane tied the game with 13:06 remaining.

There would be two more ties before Columbus State took the lead for good on a baseline jump shot by Monica Sicka at the 5:14 mark. Clayton State, however, trimmed the lead to three points, 59-56 on two free throws by Dominique Jennings with 3:32 remaining.

But those were the final points of the night for the Lakers. Columbus State responded with consecutive 3-point baskets by Grimes and Turelle Jones to ice it in the final minutes.

Shantel Ragin paced Clayton State with 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Marie St. Fort scored nine points and Phillips and Shanrika Hardeman each added eight points. However, Clayton State managed only 35 percent shooting from the field and shot only 1-for-21 (five percent) from 3-point range.

For Columbus State (6-5, 2-2), Grimes scored 22 points on five 3-point baskets, followed by Jones with 15 points. Ashley Stafford recorded a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Cougars.