Box Score MORROW, Ga.-No. 2 nationally ranked Clayton State University found itself in a dogfight on its home court during the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Saturday trailing fifth-seeded Barton College at halftime before rallying for a 97-71 victory to advance to the "Sweet 16".
Junior Jannetta Robinson (Willard, N.C.) and freshman Nyeshea Willie (Virginia Beach, Va.) tied for game-high scoring honors with 23 points to pace the Lady Bulldogs, who led 38-37 at halftime.
Barton (26-5) ended its spectacular season with a program-best 26 wins. The Lady Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament four times in the past decade (2004, 2006, 2007, 2011) and matched its best performance making it to the second round after knocking off Peach Belt Conference Tournament Champion Georgia College & State University Friday.
"I think this team did a really good job," said Robinson, who averaged 19.4 points and five rebounds in five postseason games this season. "For the seniors, they played their heart out. It was my first time and it was a great experience. Just to get here was great and I think we did a great job."
Jamila Johnson (Garner, N.C.), Kelsey Sill (Raleigh, N.C.) and Shawnta Shelton (Greensboro, N.C.) became the senior class to lead the Bulldogs into the NCAA Tournament since Barton was re-aligned from the Atlantic Region to arguably the most difficult region in the country. The Southeast Region currently features three of the top-eight nationally ranked programs in Division II.
The Lakers trailed at the midway point for only the fifth time in 32 games this season but fought back by shooting 52.9-percent in the second half and using a decisive 32-10 run over nearly a 10-minute span.
Clayton State (31-1) – ranked No. 1 until suffering its first loss of the season last week – took advantage of Barton's foul trouble that consisted of five guards finishing the game with either four or five fouls. The Lakers attempted an incredible 51 free throws, making 33 of them for a 64.7-percent clip.
The host Lakers remained undefeated at home (17-0) in the Athletics & Fitness Center by dominated the backboards 53-37 including 23 offensive boards and forcing Barton into 26 turnovers with 17 steals.
Barton 21st year head coach Wendee Saintsing added, "I think we got worn down. We put in a lot of effort and intensity last night [in win over Georgia College]. First half I thought we played well. Second half we just got worn down and the press started to give us a little bit of a problem. They started beating us down court. We got tired with our foul trouble."
The Bulldogs led for majority of the first half. After Clayton State took its lone lead with a layup on the opening possession of the game, Barton stretched out to an early 11-6 advantage on eight quick points from Robinson before taking its largest lead of seven points twice on layups by Johnson at the 11:18 (18-11) mark and Robinson with 7:28 (27-20) on the clock.
Clayton State rallied to within one possession a couple times in the final four minutes and had a chance to tie the score at halftime but missed a free throw attempt in the final 20 seconds. The Lakers once again scored on its opening possession to start the second half to regain a lead but Barton kept fighting.
Back-to-back layups by Willie put the Bulldogs in front for the final time at 45-42.
Deadlocked at 47-all, Drameka Griggs ignited the Lakers with four quick points on a jumper followed immediately by a steal and layup on the inbounds play. Consecutive three-pointers by Brittany Hall and Latonda Bruce on the next two Laker possessions capped a quick 10-1 run in a 70-second outburst.
The Bulldogs hung around and a Robinson three-pointer kept the visitors within striking distance at 83-71. However, Clayton State held Barton scoreless for the final three minutes and made 14-of-16 free throws down the stretch to make the final margin of victory more lopsided that the true story of the game.
"I think this team played well the first half," said Saintsing. "Second half we just kind of wore down. They hit some big three's at a crucial time during that stretch. We got out-rebounded a little bit. I am proud to death of this team and how hard we worked throughout the game. We never quit."
Clayton State head coach Dennis Cox commented, "That Barton team really got our attention. First of all, they beat arguably the hottest team in our league (Georgia College) coming off a Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship with back-to-back wins over Lander and USC Aiken. I thought the Barton group was very focused. It was very challenging for us to do the things we like to do. They are so athletic. I am really happy to get that win. I knew we were in for a dogfight."
The Lakers used balanced scoring with five players reaching double figures including a team-high 22 points from Griggs off the bench. Bruce added 17 points in a reserve role as CSU's bench outscored Barton's 48-7. Hall (15), Tanisha Woodard (14), and Teshymia Tillman (12) led the Lakers starters.
Tillman pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.
After scoring a career-high 30 points against Columbus State on Friday, Robinson kept a hot hand for Barton nailing 8-of-10 attempts including 4-of-6 three-pointers for 23 points before fouling out.
Johnson – a 2011 Daktronics All-Southeast Region selection and Conference Carolinas Player of the Year – was held to just six points in 16 minutes due to foul trouble but did hand out a game-high six assists before recording her fifth foul. Johnson ranks in the top-10 nationally in assists and finished her collegiate career averaging 5.5 dimes per game in her senior season.
Willie matched Robinson's 23 points going 6-of-14 from the field and an impressive 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Sophomore Jolanda Mitchell (Raleigh, N.C.) chipped in 10 points. Sill and Robinson led Barton's rebounders with six boards apiece.
"All I can say is that we are going to be back here next year. We are going to work extra hard. This is just the start for us," concluded Willie.
