Braves Fall to the Clayton State Lakers 83-73
The UNCP Men’s Basketball was setback 83-73 at the Athletic & Fitness Center for their final road contest against the Clayton State University Lakers on Feb. 17 in Morrow, Ga.
With the defeat, the Braves’ seventh-straight winning streak came to an abrupt end. The team’s eight-game win streak in the state of Georgia was also blown.
UNCP shares the top seed with the Lakers heading into the final fortnight of regular season play. Despite shooting 52 percent from the field, the home court Lakers could not find much breathing room from the Braves.
Clayton State went on an 11-4 run to close out the half with a 40-31 lead heading into the locker rooms. The Black and Gold were able to reduce an early 11-point second half deficit to just five points 66-61, with just over four minutes left to play.
The home team responded with seven unanswered points to establish another double-digit lead. The Lakers recorded 10-straight shots from the free throw line in the final two minutes of play to secure their victory and the Braves defeat.
Redshirt senior Nigel Grant led the Black and Gold in scoring with a team high 21-points, 10 of which he posted in the first half. Grant was on his way to his fifth straight contest recording double-digit points.
Senior Brandon Watts came in second on the team in scoring by putting up 17 points after halftime. He also led the team in total rebounds with seven. Junior James Murray-Boyles was the only other Brave to notch double-digit points. With 10 points, he came in third on the team before he fouled out late in the contest.
