"Smaller" Laker women roll past Peach Belt rival Georgia College 80-62
Hardeman scores 19 points, Jackson scores 18 as 12th-ranked Clayton State improves to 4-1

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – November 28, 2007 – Coming off a tough defeat in its Peach Belt Conference opener against USC-Aiken, Clayton State women’s basketball coach Dennis Cox made an adjustment in both personnel and strategy for his Lakers on Wednesday at conference rival Georgia College.

He went with a smaller lineup.

The move paid off as Clayton State continued its recent dominance over its in-state conference rivals with an 80-62 victory over Georgia College at the Centennial Center. The victory improves 12th-ranked Clayton State to 4-1 overall and an even 1-1 in Peach Belt play.

"It was a great effort and the energy level was a lot better tonight," said Cox, who is now 9-1 head-to-head against Georgia College. "I thought we’d have match-up problems against them, so that’s part of the reason for going small. In our press, we have to be that way."

Instead of senior center Lynette Jackson, Cox opted with junior forward Shanrika Hardeman in the starting lineup, and she responded by leading the Lakers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Junior forward Lisa Jackson was also stellar, scoring 18 points with nine rebounds off the bench for Clayton State.

The Lakers never trailed from the outset, and built as big as a 12-point lead on three occasions in the second half. Lynette Jackson gave Clayton State a 31-19 lead on a jump shot on the baseline with 6:12 remaining.

However, Georgia College closed out the half on a 12-3 run as Elicia Lynch drained two 3-point baskets and Dominique Huffman nailed another with 15 seconds remaining to close the Laker lead to 34-31 at halftime.

In the second half, however, it was all Clayton State. A lay-up by Marie St. Fort increased the Laker lead to 47-37 at the 15-minute mark, and a St. Fort 3-point basket at the 13:55 mark increased the lead to 53-39.

The closest Georgia College would cut the lead was eight points down the stretch. Clayton State responded with a 25-2 run over a six-minute span to put the game away.

For the game, Clayton State shot 45 percent from the field, including 50 percent (19-for-38) in the second half. The Lakers also out-rebounded the Lady Bobcats 54-45, and recorded 10 blocked shots. Defensively, Clayton State held Georgia College to only 33 percent shooting from the field, including only 19 percent from 3-point range.

In addition to Hardeman and Lisa Jackson, St. Fort scored 11 points with seven rebounds, while Dominique Jennings, Shantel Ragin and Roberta Phillips each added eight points. Ragin also grabbed 12 rebounds.

For Georgia College (3-2, 0-1 PBC), Ashley Williams scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds, followed by Lynch and Emily Bixler with 10 points each. Bixler also had nine rebounds for the Lady Bobcats.

Clayton State returns to Athletics and Fitness Center on Saturday, playing host to UNC-Pembroke at 2 p.m.