Clayton State women set get back on track with 79-47 rout at Georgia Southwestern
Ragin equals career-high 22 points as Lakers improve to 8-5 and 3-3 in Peach Belt Conference

AMERICUS, Ga. – January 16, 2008 – Maybe a week off was the right medicine for the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team.

After dropping two straight games, the Lakers came back from the weekend off looking sharper and determined at Peach Belt Conference in-state rival Georgia Southwestern on Wednesday night. The end result was an impressive 79-47 Laker victory at the Storm Dome.

Clayton State improves to 8-5 overall and an even 3-3 in the Peach Belt Conference with the victory. The Lakers have now three straight against Georgia Southwestern and four of their last five in the series.

Clayton State broke the game open with a 22-1 run in the first half as the Lakers shot an impressive 60 percent from the field in the first half. Before the run, Clayton State clinged to an 8-7 lead, but went ahead 30-8 at the conclusion the rally with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Lakers then took a comfortable 42-16 lead at halftime.

The closest Georgia Southwestern was able to cut into the lead was 22 points early the second half, but Clayton State was never threatened. The Lakers built as big as a 42-point lead on a lay-up by Shanrika Hardeman with 7:36 remaining.

Senior forward Shantel Ragin tied her career high with 22 points to pace Clayton State. She was 8-for-13 from the field with five rebounds and five assists. In addition to Ragin, Lisa Jackson and Hardeman each scored 15 points, while Marie St. Fort and Roberta Phillips both added eight points for the Lakers.

Brynne Callaway scored eight points to pace Georgia Southwestern (1-12, 0-6).

Clayton State is in action on Saturday as the Lakers battled Peach Belt Conference leader Lander at 2 p.m. at Lander’s Horne Arena.