Clayton State women fend off feisty Southern Polytechnic State 73-71 in preseason exhibition
Hardeman scores 19 points, St. Fort hits for 18 to pace seventh-ranked Lakers

MORROW, Ga. - November 10, 2007 – Although it was only a preseason exhibition, the atmosphere and dramatics had a postseason championship-like feel for the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team on Saturday as it held off feisty Southern Polytechnic State 73-71 at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

This is the only preseason exhibition for Clayton State, which is ranked seventh nationally in the preseason Division II Top 25 following last season’s Division II "Final Four" run. The Lakers open the 2007-08 season officially on Friday against Lincoln Memorial in the Eagle Club Classic at Carson-Newman.

Clayton State never could put Southern Polytechnic State away, especially in the second half. After trailing by nine points at halftime and as many as 12 points early the second half, the Hornets fought their way back into the game with their free throw shooting. For the second half, Southern Polytechnic State connected on an impressive 87 percent (13-for-15) from the charity stripe.

The Lakers held an eight-point lead when the momentum shifted towards Southern Polytechnic State. The Hornets connected on four straight free throws at the 6:38 mark to trim the Clayton State lead to 61-59.

After Clayton State stretched the lead back to six points twice, the Hornets got a big 3-point basket from Evelyn Heath at the 3:19 mark. Heath then tied the game at 67-67 with 2:04 remaining.

However, Clayton State took the lead for good on its ensuing possession as Marie St. Fort drained a huge 3-point basket from the left wing. On the Lakers’ next possession, forward Shanrika Hardeman converted a key 3-point play.

Southern Polytechnic State responded with a lay-up by Sanielle Bryant with 43 seconds remaining, and then the Hornets fouled St. Fort with 15 seconds remaining. But the Laker junior missed both free throws, giving Southern Polytechnic State one final opportunity to either win or tie.

Heath drove baseline for a lay-up, but the shot was off as time expired.

Hardeman, a transfer from Peach Belt Conference rival Columbus State, paced Clayton State with 19 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while St. Fort scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Junior point guard Dominique Jennings scored 14 points, including 12 in the first half in which Clayton State shot 53 percent from the field and led by as many as 15 points.

For Southern Polytechnic State, Heath scored 17 points to pace the Hornets, while Bryant scored 11 points and Ray Donee’ Jones and Aurielle Morgan each scored 10 points. For the game, Southern Polytechnic State shot 77 percent (27-for-35) from the free throw line.