Second-half barrage lifts Columbus State past Clayton State men 80-68

Final	1	2	T
Columbus St. (14-10, 9-6 PBC)	28	52	80
Clayton St. (15-9, 7-8 PBC)	34	34	68
Morrow, Ga. (Athletics & Fitness Center)

Columbus St.	Clayton St.
Pts: Jarmarquis Steverson - 27	Pts: Teondre Williams - 16
Reb: 2 Players (#24, #20 - 10)	Reb: Teondre Williams - 6
Ast: Idell Bell - 6	Ast: Reco Lewis - 3

Team Statistics	Columbus St.	Clayton St.
Field Goal %	51.9% (28-54 )	37.7% (23-61 )
Rebounds	43	31
Assists	16	12
Turnovers	17	13
Pts off Turnovers	16	22
2nd Chance Pts	12	17
Pts in the Paint	28	20
Fastbreak Pts	6	4
Bench Pts	20	15

full stats

MORROW, Ga. – February 18, 2012 – Returning home after a two-week road swing, the Clayton State Laker men's basketball team aimed to keep surging in the Peach Belt Conference West Division standings on Saturday. But visiting Columbus State used a torrid second half shooting-wise to pull away from the Lakers 80-68 in Peach Belt Conference action at the Athletics and Fitness Center.

The Lakers fall to 15-9 overall and 7-8 in the Peach Belt, while Columbus State improves to 14-10 overall and 9-6 in the Peach Belt.

The Cougars shot 57 percent from the field in the second half, including 47 percent from 3-point range. Clayton State took an eight point lead at the 14:03 mark of the second half on a 3-point basket by Teondre Williams, but Columbus State responded with a 15-0 run.

Winford Ivey connected on two 3-point baskets, and a turnaround jumper by Jarmarquis Steverson increased the Cougar lead to 52-45 at the 9:16 mark. The Lakers broke the run with two 3-point baskets by Tony Dukes, including his second which trimmed the Columbus State lead to 54-51 with 8:28 remaining.

But the Cougars answered on two back-to-back 3-point baskets by Steverson and Ivey to push their lead to nine points. Clayton State again rallied as Andrew Bachanov scored inside and an alley-oop dunk by Teondre Williams cut the Columbus State lead to 62-59 at the 5:57 mark.

However, Columbus State answered again. Paul Darkwa connected on a baseline jumper and Idell Bell connected on two 3-point baskets to push the Cougar lead to 73-61 with 2:28 remaining. Clayton State could not get closer than nine points down the stretch.

Williams paced the Lakers with 16 points, followed by guard Anthony Salter with 15 points on four 3-point baskets. Dukes scored 13 points off the bench, and Reco Lewis added 12 points. Lewis and Williams both scored eight points in the first half as Clayton State lead by as many as 10 points and held a 34-28 lead at halftime.

For the game, the Lakers connected on 12 3-point baskets.

Steverson was hot for Columbus State, finishing with a game-high 27 points on five 3-point baskets. Ivey scored 16 points off the bench, while Darkwa recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Bell added 10 points for the Cougars, who finished the game shooting 52 percent from the field and 42 percent (11-for-26) from 3-point range.

Columbus State also out-rebounded Clayton State 43-31.

Clayton State plays host to Montevallo in Peach Belt action on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.