ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - - Clayton State closed the game on a 20-to-5 run to break open what was a one-point contest en route to a 66-50 win over UVA Wise on day one of the Peach Belt vs. South Atlantic Conference Challenge hosted by Flagler College.

Friday's afternoon tilt was the season opener for both schools, and it showed. Clay State (1-0) arguably could have put the game away earlier than it did; however, the Lakers made just 13-of-29 free throw attempts. Likewise, UVA Wise (0-1) could have had an opportunity to win the contest if not for 23 turnovers.
 

The Lakers controlled the bulk of the contest and led by eight at intermission. Jamie Cluesman's Cavaliers played their best quarter of the game in the third period when her squad opened the half on a 15-4 run to take a 40-37 lead at the 4:45 mark of the quarter.

The lead was short-lived as Clayton State's Diamond Swift canned a 3-pointer to tie the game. Moments later, the guard netted a layup that put the Lakers pack in front.

UVA Wise would tie the game back up with a pair of Kalee Johnson foul shots with under a minute to play in the third quarter only to see Jadah White score inside to send Clayton State to the fourth quarter with the lead.

The Cavs would score the opening point of the final stanza on a Nia Vanzant free throw to get within a point but, it would be as close as the visitors from Virginia could get as the Lakers scored the next 16 points to take control of the game.

Timi'a Swanson came off the bench to lead Clayton State with 15 points and ten rebounds, while Audrey McElhaney poured in 13 points and corralled 12 boards. Taniya Patrick rounded out a trio of Lakers in double-figure scoring with a 10-point, seven-rebound effort.

UVA Wise also placed three players in double figures as Vanzant, Johnson and Jaymi Golden netted 11 points each. Johnson added a game-high 14 rebounds for the 13th double-double of her career.

Johnson's 11 points moved her past former Cav Meghan Rutherford for 18th on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,014 points.

Neither squad shot the ball well. UVA Wise made just 28.1 percent of its shots, including a 3-for-15 showing from beyond the arc. Clayton State finished the game shooting 35.3 percent while making 5-of-21 3-point attempts.

The game was the first of two in the Sunshine State for the Cavaliers. Tomorrow, UVA Wise will be back at it against host Flagler College. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.