Saturday, February 17, 2007

SAINTS BATTLE BACK TO WIN SECOND CONSECUTIVE GAME
Anderson scores 24 points in upset win

by David Beall, Sports Information Assistant

Dahlonega, Ga – North Georgia College & State University used a second half run to catch 13th-ranked Clayton State University and sneak away with a two point win 61-59. Jay Anderson was fouled with 17 seconds remaining and knocked down both free throws to give the Saints the lead for good and their second win in a row here late Saturday afternoon.

With 8:14 left in the first half John Beugnot hit a lay-up to put the Lakers up 14-22, and then the Saints went on a 13-0 run capped by a jumper from Anthony Rowe with 3:25 left to give the home team a 27-22 lead. The Lakers fought back and took the half time lead 34-32.

The second half saw the Lakers come out firing and taking their largest lead of the game on a jumper by Trotter to give the Lakers a 34-42 lead with 15:31 remaining in the contest. The Saints never let the Lakers get out of sight as they cut the lead to three at 53-56 on a pair of free throws by Ryan Franklin.

Franklin gave the Saints their first lead of the second half with a three-pointer from the corner with 3:42 on clock for a 58-56 lead. Clayton State would grab the lead right back on the next possesion with a three-pointer by Brandon Kelley on the pass from Rod Venner. 

Neither team would score for over three minutes until Anderson was fouled and knocked down both free throws to make the score 60-59 and give the Saints the lead for good. Clayton’s Kelley would miss the decisive three-pointer with four seconds left on the clock to give the Saints an upset win over 13th-ranked Clayton State and a two game winning streak for the first time since the first week in December.

Kelley led Clayton State (20-5, 9-5) with 13 points and three assists while Anderson posted a game high 24 points for North Georgia (6-19, 2-12). Xavier Trice pulled down 10 boards in the conference win, and Franklin added 15 points in 30 minutes of play.

North Georgia returns to action on Wednesday February 21, as they travel to Aiken South Carolina to Take on the Pacers at 7:30 pm.

-NGCSU-

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