Clayton State women fall 82-72 to Wingate in
South Atlantic Regional championship
St. Fort scores 23 points as Lakers end 2007-08 season at 20-11

FLORENCE, S.C. – March 17, 2008 – One game stood in the way of the Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team and a possible return trip to Kearney, Neb., and the NCAA Division II "Elite Eight."

However, a late rally by Wingate proved to be the difference on Monday as Clayton State fell 82-72 in the Division II South Atlantic Regional championship game at Francis Marion’s Smith Center. The defeat ends the Lakers’ season at 20-11, but it marked the second straight season that Clayton State advanced to at least the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

"We got beaten by a very good team that played very poised," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. "We had things going our way in the second half, and then they went on a big run. They knocked down some 3s against our zone, and I thought we broke down somewhat defensively.

"I also thought we panicked a little. Maybe we were little emotionally spent and our lack of depth may have finally caught up to us."

In a game that was back-and-forth throughout, Clayton State held an eight-point lead 55-47 on a 3-point basket by Marie St. Fort with 10:41 remaining. However, Wingate went on a 19-2 run over the next five minutes to take a nine-point lead.

Kate Edwards drilled two straight 3-point baskets to trim the Laker lead to two points, and then a 3-point play on a fastbreak by Anna Atkinson gave Wingate a 56-55 lead with 9:06 remaining. A 3-point basket by CC Brooks and another 3-point play by Jessy Keitt stretched the Bulldog lead to 64-57 at the 6:29 mark.

Atkinson then drained two free throws to make the Wingate lead 66-57 with 5:52 remaining.

The closest Clayton State could cut the lead was five points twice. A lay-up off a steal by St. Fort cut the Bulldog advantage to 69-64 with 4:11 remaining. After that, Wingate finished the game on a 13-8 run to seal the victory.

St. Fort poured in 23 points on four 3-point baskets with nine rebounds for Clayton State, while Lisa Jackson scored 15 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field and nine rebounds off the bench. Shantel Ragin finished her brilliant Laker career with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Shanrika Hardeman added a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

For Wingate (26-7), Edwards scored 22 points on six 3-point baskets, while Stefani Shuey scored 17 points and Adtkinson recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Both Ragin and Jackson were selected to the All-Tournament team, and Atkinson was the Regional Most Valuable Player.