Phillips comes up big again as Clayton State women outlast Georgia College 80-73
Senior guard equals career high with 21 points as Lakers improve to 10-5 and 5-3 in the Peach Belt

MORROW, GA. – January 21, 2008 – When the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team needs big plays, it knows who to turn to – Roberta Phillips.

Fresh off hitting a game-winning 3-point basket in overtime at Lander on Saturday, Phillips came up big again on Monday by equaling her career high of 21 points in Clayton State’s thrilling 80-73 victory over Peach Belt Conference in-state rival Georgia College. The victory is the third straight for head coach Dennis Cox’s Lakers, now 10-5 overall and 5-3 in the Peach Belt.

In addition, Clayton State has now won six straight games head-to-head against Georgia College.

After leading by as many as 16 points in the first half and 34-26 at halftime, Clayton State had what appeared to be a comfortable 58-42 lead with 11:23 remaining in the game. However, Georgia College went on a 13-2 run as Emily Bixler, Elicia Lynch and Lindsey Smith each scored on lay-ups to cut the lead to 60-53 with 7:38 remaining.

Tiauna Brantley’s put-back off a missed free throw cut the lead to 60-55, but the Lakers responded as Phillips drained a huge 3-point basket on the ensuing possession to put Clayton State back up by eight points.

Georgia College never got closer than six points after that. Twice, the Lakers extended their lead to 11 points, including 76-65 on two Phillips free throws at the 1:54 mark.

In addition to Phillips, Dominique Jennings and Shantel Ragin each recorded double-doubles – Jennings scored 15 points with 10 rebounds and Ragin had 11 points and 10 rebounds. All totaled, five Lakers scored in double-figures as Arlanderia Whitlock scored 11 points off the bench and Lisa Jackson added 10 points and eight rebounds.

For the game, Clayton State limited Georgia College (9-5, 4-3) to only 33 percent shooting from the field, and only 15 percent (3-for-20) from 3-point range. The Lakers also connected on 79 percent (27-for-34) from the free throw line.

For Georgia College, Ashley Williams and Dominique Ruffin each scored 17 points, followed by Bixler with 15 points and Smith scored 11 points.

Clayton State hits the road on Wednesday for a key Peach Belt Conference showdown at in-state rival North Georgia at 5:30 p.m.