2009-10 Media Guide
(.pdf)

 

Clayton State women drop exhibition opener 80-49 at SEC power Georgia
Newcomer Bruce paces Lakers with 12-point, 10-rebound double-double

Box Score
ATHENS, Ga. – November 8, 2009 – The 13th-ranked Clayton State Laker women’s basketball team got a taste of "big-time" Division I basketball on Sunday, opening their exhibition slate at Southeastern Conference power Georgia.

And while the Lakers were impressive defensively with their full-court pressure defense, Georgia’s size was too much for Clayton State as the Lady Bulldogs pulled away with an 80-49 victory over the Lakers at Stegeman Coliseum.

It was the first meeting ever between these two in-state programs, and the first encounter ever against an SEC program for Clayton State.

"We learned that our press can be very effective against anyone," said Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox. "But we also learned that we won’t win many games if we don’t knock down shots. And we must do better at finishing games."

As Cox eluded to, the Lakers had their vaunted full-court pressure defense working against Georgia. Clayton State forced the Lady Bulldogs into 33 turnovers, recording 17 steals in the process. However, it was on the offense end where the Lakers had their struggles.

Against the taller, longer Lady Bulldogs, Clayton State shot only 29 percent from the field, and the Lakers were 0-for-16 from 3-point range. Yet despite the subpar numbers, Clayton State stayed within striking distance against Georgia for most of the game.

With 6-foot-5 center Angel Robinson scoring effectively inside, Georgia raced out to an early 20-6 lead The Lady Bulldogs increased the advantage to 20 points, 32-12 on a lay-up by Ashley Houts with 7:57 remaining.

However, the Lakers trimmed the Georgia lead to 14 points, 32-18 on two free throws by Breanna Fort at the 5:12 mark. And then a lay-up off a missed jump shot by Latonda Bruce made the Lady Bulldog lead 38-22 with 2:30 remaining. Clayton State cut the Georgia lead to 18 points at halftime on a jump shot in the lane by Jorane Metelus.

Georgia twice stretched its lead to 24 points in the second half before Clayton State came back within striking distance. Tanisha Woodard and Bruce both scored on driving lay-ups in transition, and a lay-up off a Lady Bulldog turnover by Ashley Aker brought the Lakers to 60-44 with 6:56 remaining.

That was as close as Clayton State would get. Georgia finished the game out on a 20-5 run, including a 12-0 spurt over the next three minutes.

Bruce recorded a double-double for Clayton State with 12 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Fort with 11. Woodard and Teshymia Tillman each added eight points. Robinson paced Georgia with 18 points on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, while Portia Phillips scored 14 points and Houts scored 13 points. Off the bench, Jasmine James and Candice Williams each added 10 points.

Clayton State plays its second and final exhibition before the start of the regular season on Thursday, playing host to LaGrange at 7:30 p.m.