Sean Montgomery, Sports Information Student Assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia College women's basketball team (16-9, 8-9) fell in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) action Wednesday night, as they hosted top-seeded Clayton State University (19-4, 14-3 PBC) on Senior Day at the Centennial Center. The Bobcats were outpaced by the Lakers, losing their second straight PBC contest, 77-65.

The Bobcat women dominated for much of the first half, taking a 36-30 lead into the locker room. Sophomore Alyah McGriff (Suwanee) sparked the offense by coming off of the bench and raining in four buckets on six attempts, good for a half-leading 12 points.

Georgia College also sank ten free throws in the first two periods, including four from both McGriff and Lindsey Reed (Stockbridge). The team outshot Clayton State 52 percent (13-25) to 42.9 (12-28).

The Laker's defense cooled down the Bobcats in the third quarter, allowing just eight points the entire period.

Clayton State came out of the locker room hitting from everywhere on the court, as they knocked down 61.5 percent (16-26) of their shots in the second half. They out-rebounded the Bobcats by 14 in the game, snatching down 33 boards to Georgia College's 19.

Down four points heading into the fourth quarter, the Bobcats made a run but were ultimately outscored 29-21. Both teams shot the ball efficiently, as Clayton State shot 51.9 percent (28-54) to Georgia College's 47.8 (22-46).

The Lakers placed four players in double-digits: Kenisha Jones-Barrett (19), Tweety Hawkins (15), Andrea Benford (14) and DeQuenna Moore (12).

Starting guard LaRice Walker (Franklin) would run the Bobcat offense, dishing out a game-high five assists while shooting an efficient 57.1 percent (4-7) from the field. Walker was also one of three Bobcats in double-digits with 15 points, seven of which came from the free-throw line. Fellow guard, Reed, would add in 13 points of her own. 

Despite the loss, McGriff starred in all areas. The forward finished the game with a game and career-high 25 points, while snatching down five boards and tallying one blocked shot.

The Bobcat women will be back in action Saturday, Feb. 20 when they travel to Georgia Southwestern in Americus for key PBC action. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m.

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.

                                                                                                            ###