Seventh-ranked Laker women open 2007-08 season with 74-63 victory over Lincoln Memorial
Phillps paces six Clayton State players in double-figures with 18 points

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - November 16, 2007 – The 2007-08 season started on a strong note for the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team on Friday with an impressive 74-63 victory over Lincoln Memorial in the first game of the Eagle Club Classic at Carson-Newman.

It marked the fourth straight season that Clayton State, ranked seventh in the Division II preseason Top 25 poll, has won its season opener – all under head coach Dennis Cox.

"I told the team it was a classic system win for us," said Cox. "It was battle of wills between the two teams, and we were able to force the tempo late."

The Lakers had a balanced scoring attack as six players reached double-figures in scoring. Senior guard Roberta Phillips paced Clayton State with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field and two 3-point baskets. Junior guard Marie St. Fort and junior forward Shanrika Hardeman each scored 11 points, while senior forward Shantel Ragin, junior forward Lisa Jackson and junior point guard Dominique Jennings each scored 10 points.

In addition, Jackson grabbed a game-high eight rebounds and Ragin had a game-high five assists for Clayton State.

For much of the game, especially in the second half, the Lady Railsplitters stayed close with Clayton State. In fact, Lincoln Memorial held a three-point lead, 60-57, on a jump shot by Stephanie Wagner with 6:47 remaining. That’s when Clayton State turned up the intensity, finishing the game on a 17-3 run over the final six-and-a-half minute stretch.

Phillips gave the Lakers the lead for good on a lay-up in the paint at the 6:08 mark, triggering a 17-0 Clayton State run. Phillips added a 3-point basket at the 2:04 mark to stretch the Clayton State lead to 10 points, 70-60. Hardeman then finished the rally with a jump shot to give the Lakers a 74-60 lead with 1:32 remaining.

During that stretch, the stifling Clayton State pressure defense forced Lincoln Memorial into six turnovers.

"They shot the ball extremely well and ran some effective offensive sets," Cox said. "Our pressure finally got to them in the end."

The Lakers never led by more than seven points in a tightly-played first half. Phillps’ free throw gave Clayton State a 24-17 lead with 7:39 remaining, and a lay-up by Jennings made the Laker lead 31-24 with 4:45 remaining.

For the game, Clayton State shot 44 percent from the field and out-rebounded Lincoln Memorial 40-32. Overall, the Lakers forced Lincoln Memorial into 23 turnovers.

For Lincoln Memorial (0-1) Wagner led all scorers with 20 points, while Kara Harris scored 12 points for the Lady Railsplitters, who shot 47 percent from the field.

Clayton State takes on host Carson-Newman on Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Eagle Club Classic.