Peach Belt Champions! Clayton State women win 76-74 thriller at Francis Marion
Jennings shines in waning seconds as Lakers finish regular season 18-9 and 13-7 in PBC

FLORENCE, S.C. – March 1, 2008 – Francis Marion had the hoopla on its side on Saturday. It was Homecoming, Hall of Fame weekend and Senior Day rolled up in one for the Patriots. However, the Clayton State Laker women crashed the party.

With three players scoring in double-figures, the Lakers pulled off the 76-74 thrilling victory over Francis Marion at the Smith Center. The victory clinches a share of the Peach Belt Conference regular season title for Clayton State, its third in the last four seasons under head coach Dennis Cox.

The Lakers conclude the regular season 18-9 overall and 13-7 in the Peach Belt Conference. There could be as big as a five-way tie for the Peach Belt regular season championship once all is said and done this weekend. Clayton State has also won six of its last seven games against Francis Marion.

"I’m not taking anything away from the previous championship teams, but this team has overcome so much to get here today," said Cox, who is 97-28 at Clayton State. "We have scratched and clawed our way there all season. I’ve never seen a race for a championship like this season, but the league is so strong, and it’s awesome for us to be a part of it."

In a game of offensive rallies, Clayton State had a 71-60 lead on a Shantel Ragin lay-up with 5:29 remaining. However, Francis Marion responded with an 11-0 run as Creshenda Singletary converted three lay-ups to cut the lead to two points. Then a steal by Yasmean Dixon led to a game-tying lay-up by Brittany Young with 1:20 remaining.

Clayton State responded as Dominique Jennings converted an off-balanced lay-up with 51 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 73-71 lead. However, Francis Marion took a 74-73 lead at the 13-second mark on a 3-point basket from the corner by Ransom.

Jennings then took control for Clayton State. The junior guard drove to the lane and was fouled on a lay-up attempt with eight seconds remaining. Jennings then drained two free throws to give the Lakers a one-point lead.

On Francis Marion’s ensuing possession, Jennings made the play of the game, getting the steal at mid-court from Ransom, and she was fouled with two seconds remaining. Jennings converted one-of-two from the charity stripe, and Francis Marion could not get a shot prior to time expiring.

"Dominique wanted the ball late, and she did a great job taking the ball to the rim," Cox said. "She made some mistakes early, but stayed confident and made the big plays in the end."

Ragin paced Clayton State with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. In her last four games, the senior forward has averaged 23 points and eight rebounds a game. Shanrika Hardeman recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Marie St. Fort scored 12 points for the Lakers.

Clayton State forced 33 Francis Marion turnovers.

Singletary scored 23 points to pace Francis Marion (20-7, 13-7 PBC), while Young scored 13 points and Jennifer Dyer added 10 points for the Patriots.

Clayton State plays next in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, which begins on Wednesday at USC-Aiken’s Convocation Center. The Lakers’ opponent and game time is to be determined.