>>>boxscore
MORROW, Ga. - In a defensive battle, Georgia
College & State University men's basketball (7-1, 1-1 PBC) did
what no one else has done this season, downing No. 25 Clayton State
University (9-1, 2-1 PBC) tonight (Jan. 5) 58-49.
Georgia College held the Lakers to just 16 first-half points, as
Clayton State managed just 33 percent (18-54) shooting for the
game. The Bobcats weren't much better at 39 percent (19-49) but hit
10 threes to Clayton's four to gain an edge.
Junior guard Graham Martin
(Marietta, Ga.) led the Bobcats with 15 points, getting
help from Jake Rios (Bozeman,
Mt.) with 12.
The Bobcat defense was stifling, holding a team that averages
85.4 points per game to nearly half that. The 49 points was the
fewest allowed by a Bobcat men's basketball team since UNC Pembroke
managed just 43 Feb. 4, 2008 a 19-game stretch.
The lone Laker in double-digit scoring was Freddie Williams with
a game-high 17 points.
The Lakers were fresh off a win over No. 7 Augusta State
University Saturday, a clash of two nationally-ranked Peach Belt
Conference (PBC) schools. The last time the Bobcats beat a
nationally-ranked squad was Feb. 24, 2007, when Shaun
Keaton (Albany, Ga.) hit a 30-footer at the buzzer to win
at then-No. 13 Clayton State. Keaton was held to seven points
tonight.
Clayton had an early 7-3 lead just under four minutes in, but
the Bobcats responded with a 25-9 run for the remaining 16 minutes
of the first half to lead 28-16 at the buzzer. The lead reached as
high as 16 on a Martin free-throw with 15:42 left in the second
half.
The all-time series stretches to a 17-13 Bobcat advantage,
ending a two-game losing streak for GCSU against the Lakers.
The Bobcats are back in action Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m.,
traveling to North Georgia College & State University (6-3, 0-3
PBC). The Saints most recently lost to Armstrong Atlantic State
University tonight 74-67.
Visit www.GCSU.edu/Bobcats to nominate your favorite former
Bobcats and Colonials to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame. The GCSU
Department of Athletics sponsors 10 varsity athletic programs at
the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, GCSU prides
itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by
the Bobcats' multiple appearances in post-season competition as
well as documented academic success and community-service
involvement.
