Clayton State women win 67-65 Peach Belt thriller over North Georgia

Ragin scores 20 points as Lakers improve to 16-8 overall and 11-6 in conference

MORROW, Ga. – February 20, 2008 – Locked in a classic late-season Peach Belt Conference battle, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team needed a "go-to" player down the stretch on Wednesday, and that player was Shantel Ragin.

The senior forward scored 20 points and hit some big shots late in the game as Clayton State edged visiting in-state rival North Georgia 67-65 at the Athletics and Fitness Center. The victory improves Clayton State to 16-8 overall and 11-6 in the Peach Belt, still very much alive for the conference regular season championship.

Clayton State pretty much controlled the first half with a 35-24 lead at halftime, and held a 12-point lead in the second half before the Lady Saints made their move.

Krystyn Young drained a 3-point basket at the 13:22 mark, igniting a 14-6 North Georgia run. Syretha Marble then scored on a lay-up and two free throws and a lay-up by Young cut the Clayton State lead to 52-49 with 8:17 remaining.

The Lakers pushed the lead back to five points before North Georgia took a 59-57 lead on six straight points by Megan Huffman, Her 3-point play gave the Lady Saints a two-point lead with 4:18 remaining.

Down the stretch however, the teams went to their big-game players – Marble for North Georgia and Ragin for Clayton State. Every time one would score, the other would answer.

Marble gave North Georgia a 64-61 lead when she scored in transition off a steal, and followed that with a free throw at the 2:20 mark. However, Ragin countered with a lay-up, followed by a blocked shot off a Huffman jump shot attempt. On her ensuing possession, Ragin took it to the whole and scored again to give Clayton State a 65-64 lead with 1:14 remaining.

Marble was fouled on North Georgia’s ensuing possession, but made only one of her two free throw attempts, leaving the score tied 65-65 with 1:09 remaining.

On Clayton State’s next possession, Ragin was fouled with 42 seconds remaining. She, however, converted both free throws, and Clayton State had a two-point lead.

North Georgia had three chances to either tie or take the lead. First, Lindsey Kitchens committed a turnover, but the Lady Saints got the ball back on a held ball with 17 seconds remaining. Marble then missed a jump shot, and Ragin was fouled on the rebound.

However, she missed the front end of the one-and-one, giving North Georgia one final shot. But Marble’s jump shot from the free throw line was off at the buzzer.

In addition to Ragin, Lisa Jackson scored 16 points for Clayton State, while Dominique Jennings and Marie St. Fort each added 10 points. Clayton State shot 47 percent from the field.

Marble had a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Huffman scored 25 points for North Georgia.

Clayton State plays its final regular season home game of the 2007-08 season on Saturday against Lander at 5:30 p.m.