Clayton State women can’t hold off surging
Francis Marion 84-76
St. Fort scores career-high 26 points as Laker women fall to 11-6 overall and 6-4 in Peach Belt Conference

MORROW, GA. – January 26, 2008 – With second place on the line in the Peach Belt Conference, the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball could not withstand a second half charge by visiting Francis Marion on Saturday as the Patriots outlasted Clayton State 84-76 at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The defeats snaps a four-game winning streak by Clayton State, now 11-6 overall and 6-4 in the Peach Belt Conference. It's the first victory for Francis Marion against Clayton State since the 2003-04 season.

Clayton State controlled tempo in the first half as the Lakers shot 46 percent from the field and 67 percent from 3-point range to lead 40-33 at halftime. Marie St. Fort scored 14 points in the opening half on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field.

However, Francis Marion’s engulfing full-court press and the heady offensive play of reserve guard Kevina Ransom took control in the second half. The Patriots forced 20 Laker turnovers in the second half with 11 steals using the full-court trap on Clayton State.

A lay-up by Shantel Ragin stretched the Clayton State lead to 10 points 44-34 at the 18:16 mark of the second half. However, Ransom and Francis Marion responded with a 16-3 run over the next five minutes.

Brittany Young started the rally with a 3-point basket with 17 minutes remaining. That was followed by consecutive lay-ups by Ransom, Yasmean Dixon and Ebony All – all off Clayton State turnovers – cutting the Laker lead to 47-43 with 15:35 remaining. Another Ransom lay-up tied the game at 47-47, and then Francis Marion took its first lead of the game 48-47 on a Ransom free throw at the 14:35 mark.

Clayton State battled back and took the lead three times, including a lay-up by Arlanderia Whitlock to give the Lakers a 63-60 lead with 7:22 remaining. The two teams traded leads again, this time a lay-up by Shantel Ragin reclaimed the lead for Clayton State 66-65 at the 5:52 mark.

However, Francis Marion took the lead for good on its ensuing possession on a 3-point basket by Jennifer Dyer. That sparked a 9-0 Patriot run in which Francis Marion converted four free throws, and took a 74-66 lead on a lay-up by Allen.

Clayton State cut the lead to four points twice, but that was as close as the Lakers would get. Francis Marion extended the lead back to 10 points twice in the final two minutes.

St. Fort scored a career-high 26 points on an impressive 10-for-13 shooting from the field. Ragin, Dominique Jennings and Roberta Phillips each added nine points, while Shanrika Hardeman paced the Lakers with 13 rebounds and Ragin recorded 10 rebounds. The Lakers shot 56 percent from 3-point range and out-rebounded Francis Marion 50-43.

Ransom was tremendous for Francis Marion (13-2, 6-2 PBC) with 24 points and eight assists. Dixon and Shannon Singleton-Bates each scored 14 points, while Young scored 11 points and Allen added 10 points.

Clayton State plays host to in-state rival Armstrong Atlantic in key Peach Belt Conference showdown on Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m.