South Atlantic Regional
Virginia Union 71, Clayton State 70
March 11, 2007
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Virginia Union's LaKeith Blanks hit a layup as time expired in overtime to lead the Panthers to a 71-70 win over Clayton State on Sunday night in the semifinals of the NCAA South Atlantic Regional tournament in Augusta, Ga. Clayton State's Brandon Kelley had given the Lakers, the #3 seed in the tournament, a one-point lead with two free throws with 5.2 seconds to play, but the inbounds play to the sideline with 1.9 seconds left freed Blanks for the final shot. Virginia Union, who has appeared in the last two national championship games, improves to 23-5 on the season. Clayton State, making their first NCAA tournament appearance in school history, sees their season come to a close with a 24-7 record
In the extra period the lead changed hands four times in the first three minutes. Kelley, who scored all of his 18 points in the second half and overtime, hit a three-pointer with 1:02 to play to give the Lakers a two-point lead 68-66. Virginia Union got possession back after a Clayton State turnover with 28 seconds left and Blanks hit a layup and was fouled. He converted the free throw to set up the final sequence. Kelley scored seven of Clayton State's nine points in the OT period.
Virginia Union began the game strong with a 16-2 run, culminated with a Steve Miller 3-pointer at the 14:44 mark. The Panthers shot over 60% from the field during the run as Miller hit a pair of three-pointers. Clayton State responded with a 15-6 run of their own, nine of those points coming from senior Rod Venner who hit a pair of threes during the stretch. Jerome Boyd then hit back-to-back layups as the Lakers trimmed the lead to five 24-19. Virginia Union built that lead back up to seven at the free throw line, but Clayton's Michael Sloan answered with seven straight points to cut the lead to two 28-26. Virginia Union took a 30-28 into the half.
Clayton State took their first lead of the game early in the second half 33-32 on a John Beugnot three-pointer. But that lead was short-lived as VU's Justin Greene scored six straight points, part of his team-high 16 points. The Lakers fought back and tied the game at 47 on a put-back from Aristide Sawadogo with 10 minutes to go as neither team could open up more than a five-point lead.
Virginia Union led 55-53 with 3:39 to play when VU's Brad Byerson fouled out with a team-best 16 points. Blanks hit one of two free throws with 31 seconds left for a two-point Virginia Union lead, which Clayton State tied on a Venner running jumper with 9.8 seconds to play. Wansley's jumper at the buzzer fell short, setting the stage for overtime.
Clayton State welcomed back senior guard Todd McLaurin, who injured his ankle in Saturday's quarterfinal win over Catawba. Still questionable at game time, McLaurin started the game, but was limping throughout and scored no points in only four minutes of work.
Greene added seven rebounds to his 16 points. Greg Thondique led the Panthers with eight rebounds while Buster Perkins had five assists. Virginia Union shot 53% from the field in the game.
In addition to his game-high 18 points, Kelley added a team-best seven rebounds. Rod Venner 17 while Michael Sloan added 13 for the Lakers. John Beugnot added seven rebounds.
Virginia Union advances to the regional championship game Tuesday at 7 p.m. against the winner of the second semifinal game between Augusta State and Wingate.
-Courtesy Augusta State
