MORROW, Ga. --- DECEMBER 31, 2006 --- The 3-point baskets were falling for the Clayton State Laker men’s basketball team on Sunday as the Lakers rolled to an impressive 88-54 rout over visiting Arkansas-Monticello in the Heritage Bank Holiday Classic at the Athletics and Fitness Center.
Clayton State, the second-ranked team in the nation in Division II, set a single-game school record with 15 3-point baskets, eclipsing the former mark of 14 set last season against Francis Marion. The performance capped off a sterling three-game performance in the Heritage Bank Classic in which the Lakers connected on a whopping 36 baskets from 3-point range.
Arkansas-Monticello, coached by former Arkansas-Little Rock head coach Mike Newell, entered Sunday’s game averaging 80 points a game. However, Clayton State ’s suffocating defensive pressure held the Boll Weevils 26 points under their average and they were also held to 36 percent shooting from the field.
Just like Saturday’s victory over Edward Waters, Clayton State got off to a fast start again against Arkansas-Monticello, a team that advanced to the NCAA Division II “Sweet 16” last season. Ahead 13-7, the Lakers went on a 17-2 run over a five-minute span.
Luis Rodriguez started the onslaught with a 3-point basket at the 13:48 mark, followed by another from both Todd McLaurin and John Beugnot. McLaurin’s lay-up at the 8:22 mark gave the Lakers a 31-10 lead. Clayton State ’s largest lead of the half was 25 points, 38-13 on a baseline jump shot by Beugnot with 3:28 remaining.
In the first half alone, Clayton State shot 52 percent from the field, including a sizzling 67 percent (8-for-12) from 3-point range.
The Lakers didn’t let up any in the second half, starting with a 13-4 run as Brandon Kelley, Michael Sloan and McLaurin each drained 3-point baskets. Jeff Trotter’s breakaway dunk in transition gave the Lakers a 56-27 lead with 16:20 remaining.
The closest Arkansas-Monticello cut the lead was 22 points before Clayton State turned on the afterburners one final time. Three times, the Lakers increased the lead to 35 points, last on Trey Goss’s 3-point basket to make the Clayton State lead 83-48 with 3:16 remaining.
Beugnot recorded a double-double for the Lakers with 20 points and 12 rebounds on 7-for-11 shooting from the field, while McLaurin also scored 20 points. Kelley scored 19 points on five 3-point baskets and Sloan added 13 points on three 3-point baskets. For the game, Clayton State shot 54 percent (15-for-28) from 3-point range.
In addition, the Laker bench out-scored Arkansas-Monticello 33-3.
For Arkansas-Monticello (5-7), senior guard Nate Newell poured in a game-high 30 points on eight 3-point baskets.
Clayton State opens Peach Belt Conference action on Wednesday, traveling to Georgia Southwestern for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.
Source: Clayton State University Sports Information
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