MORROW, GA. --- Clayton State University held Francis Marion University to 39 points and junior Todd McLaurin scored 20 points to lead the Lakers to a convincing 56-39 Peach Belt Conference victory, Saturday (Jan. 21) in men's action at the Athletics & Fitness Center.
 

Clayton State's defense turned in one of its best defensive efforts of the season, holding the Patriots to 30 percent (14-of-46) shooting from the field and had a good chance of at least matching the Peach Belt record for fewest points allowed in a league game of 36 until the Patriots' Akeene Coakley drained a three-pointer in the closing seconds. The Lakers hold the PBC record for fewest points allowed of 36, set in 2004 against GC&SU.

Leading by 11 points, 32-21, with 15:06 remaining in the game, Clayton State took control with a 22-0 run over a 10-minute span. Guards McLaurin and Brandon Kelley supplied most of the offense in the stretch with McLaurin scoring seven points and Kelley six. A layup by Kelley with 5:36 remaining gave Clayton State a game-high 33-point, 54-21, lead. The Laker defense forced nine missed shots and picked up six turnovers in the run.

With the win, Clayton State improves to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in the Peach Belt, while Francis Marion drops to 7-8 overall and 2-6 in the league. Francis Marion will play host to North Georgia College & State University on Monday.

In the first half, FMU freshman Paul Braxton drained a three-pointer with 10:28 remaining to cut the Laker lead to 9-7 but scored only six more points in the period, as Clayton State went on a 15-6 run over the last 10 minutes and took a 26-13 advantage at halftime. The Lakers held FMU to 23 percent (5-of-22) shooting in the period.

Behind McLaurin's 20 points, Kelley added 11 points, followed by junior Michael Sloan with seven. Aristide Sawadogo finished with a game-high nine rebounds to go along with five points and three blocks.

For FMU, Braxton finished with a career-high nine points, followed by sophomore Rodrick Burton with eight. The Patriots played without the services of leading scorer Vony Rivers.

Clayton State shot 48 percent (20-of-42) from the field in the game and a sizzling 65 percent (11-of-17) in the second half.