MORROW, Ga. – Kenisha Jones-Barrett scored 15 points to lead Clayton State University to a 61-58 Peach Belt Conference women's basketball victory over Young Harris College Saturday (Jan. 3) afternoon.

The Lakers improved to 8-4 overall and to 2-1 in the league while the Mountain Lions fell to 4-6 and 1-2. Young Harris returns to action Monday (Jan. 5) when they host cross-mountain rival University of North Georgia at 5:30 p.m. at the YHC Basketball Arena.

Young Harris used a 10-1 run to open up their largest lead – seven points (27-20) – in the first half as Shereese Williams hit two free throws with 1:35 left before a Tiayra Green three-pointer with six seconds remaining gave YHC a 29-27 halftime advantage.

The Mountain Lions pushed their lead to three (35-32) on a Williams jumper with 16:24 remaining in the contest, but Jones-Barrett hit back-to-back three pointers to give the Lakers a 38-35 lead. Kaycee Cash's old-fashioned three-point play for Young Harris tied the game at 38 with 14:56 to play.

Clayton State used a 9-2 run to open up a 47-40 lead on a Kayla Price jumper with 9:43 left. The Lakers, which led by as many as eight points (51-43), saw their lead dwindle down to two (51-49) with 4:56 remaining as Young Harris got a jumper from Cash and layups from Rachel Harrell and Jada Williams.

"I'm extremely proud of our effort," said Young Harris interim head coach Matt Stearsman. "Everyone who played gave us great minutes. The box score does not show our effort and our toughness. Sometimes the result isn't what you want, but when you play that hard you have to be happy. We got down by eight and we fought back and took the lead. Once we learn how to finish games we are going to be a good basketball team."

Young Harris took a 56-55 lead with 2:00 left as Virginia Scott nailed a three-pointer and Jasmine Knight added a layup. A free throw by DaQuenna Moore tied the game at 56 before Green gave the Lakers the lead for good at 59-56 on a three-point play with 72 seconds left.

Sims and Green added 12 points for the Lakers while Williams finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Mountain Lions. Scott added a career-high 13 points while Harrell and Cash each added seven more.