By: Michael Hokanson, Sports Information Assistant

MORROW, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball team (13-3, 5-2 PBC) battled back in a strong second half, but couldn't avoid its second conference loss to Clayton State University (13-1, 7-0 PBC).

The first three periods saw the Bobcats working to close the distance on the lead the Lakers had established early on in the game. After an early Bobcat lead thanks to a three-point shot by Mckenna Rushton (Gainseville), the Lakers responded with a three-point shot of their own, holding the lead through the first period, and ending up seven points ahead. The second period began with LaRice Walker (Franklin) sinking her first attempted three-point shot of the contest, but the Bobcats could not keep pace with the Lakers, and trailed by 12 points at halftime.

It was nearly three and a half minutes into the third period when a three-point shot from the Lakers saw the first change in score following halftime. A successful jumper from Kadesha Gibbs (Claremont, North Carolina) began a 10-point run for Georgia College, but it was not enough to close the gap between the teams. Halfway through the final period, the Bobcats gained a hard-won lead over the Lakers, only to have it stolen moments later. Lindsey Reed (Stockbridge) kept the Bobcats biting at the heels of the Lakers late by knocking down a three-point shot, narrowing Clayton State's lead to one point with 14 seconds left on the clock. The Lakers closed the game at the free-throw line, keeping the Bobcats at arm's length.

Gibbs continued her strong performance, leading the team in points with a game-high 14. Rushton led the team in rebounds with a game-high 13 total, a career-best for the senior.

Reed was the only Georgia College player besides Gibbs to reach double digits in points, adding 10 points during her 22 minutes off the bench. Alyah McGriff (Suwanee) performed efficiently with a 60 percent shooting average (3-5) from the field and successfully landing both free throw attempts (2-2) for eight total points.

The Lakers showed up with full force this game, with Kayla Pryce sinking every three-point shot (3-3) and leading the team in points with 12. Daquenna Moore racked up 12 boards throughout the night.

The Bobcats will return to their home court Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. to take on the Armstrong State University Pirates.

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on social media for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.