2008-09 Media Guide
(.pdf)

Clayton State women regain form with 76-42 rout at Armstrong Atlantic
Pritchett scores 19 points as Lakers improve to 13-4, 7-3 in Peach Belt Conference

SAVANNAH, Ga. – January 28, 2009 – Having lost three of its last four games, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team needed to return to their form on Wednesday night at Peach Belt Conference rival Armstrong Atlantic.

Return to form the Lakers they did.

Behind tenacious defensive pressure, Clayton State recovered from Saturday’s nine-point defeat at Francis Marion with a 76-42 rout over Armstrong Atlantic at Alumni Arena. The Lakers improve to 13-4 overall and 7-3 in the Peach Belt Conference with the victory.

"It feels good to win like this again – this game was a cross-roads game for us," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. "We needed this, and I hope this is a turning point for us. We looked more like ourselves and we were the more aggressive team tonight."

Using its press effectively, Clayton State forced a whopping 39 Armstrong Atlantic turnovers and tied a Laker single-game record for steals with 28. In addition, Clayton State limited the Lady Pirates (11-6, 6-4 PBC) to only 26 percent shooting from the field, 13 percent (2-for-15) from 3-point range.

The Lakers used an 18-0 run in the first half to take control of the contest. Freshman guard Brittany Hall started the rally with a 3-point basket to give Clayton State a 10-7 lead. Nikkisha Pritchett followed with two straight 3-point baskets. A lay-up by Tanisha Woodard and two Pritchett free throws gave the Lakers a 23-7 lead at the 8:53 mark.

A jump shot by Hall gave the Lakers their largest lead of the first half 29-12 lead with 3:48 left.

Leading by 13 points at halftime, Clayton State broke the game wide open in the second half. The Lakers turned an 11-point lead into a 31-point cushion with a 25-1 run. Clayton State held Armstrong Atlantic without a field goal for approximately six minutes in the process.

The Lakers made four 3-point baskets during the rally. A 3-point play by Woodard at the 4:07 mark gave Clayton State its largest lead of the game 72-32.

Pritchett paced Clayton State with 19 points off the bench with four 3-point baskets, while Hall scored 17 points. Woodard scored 11 points with seven rebounds and five assists and Lisa Jackson scored 10 points off the bench. Clayton State got strong production off the bench with 39 points.

For Armstrong Atlantic, Lacey Willis scored 13 points and Kelly Versluis scored 10 points.

Clayton State plays host to UNC Pembroke in a 2 p.m. Peach Belt Conference showdown on Saturday.