MORROW — Kevaughn Price dropped a season-best 27 points along with seven boards but USCB fell to Clayton State 98-86 Saturday evening. 

"Tough one against a good Lakers team, but its easy to be happy when you're winning," head coach Ron Fudala said. "But winning can make you let up a little bit. We'll get back to it on Monday and prepare for Lander." 

The Sand Sharks started off in unfamiliar territory to open the game falling behind early. Travis Harper II knocked both ends down at the line and USCB fell behind by as many as eight, but Price made a basket through traffic to make it a two-point Laker advantage. It was a track meet for the most of the first half as both teams continued to run and down the floor. 

Clayton State kept its lead close to double figures with over two minutes to play in the half, but Kyle Polce drained a triple from the wing to make it a three-point game. CSU picked up the pace in the final minute, forcing a number of turnovers and errant shots, and went into the break with the score 43-35. 

USCB opened the second half on a 5-0 run through the first two-plus minutes and made it a one point game after Kenney Gaines picked off an inbound pass and passed it along to Price who made the bucket, forcing a Laker timeout. Qurahn Anderson tied it at 54 with a layup and Nolan Paladugu gave the Sand Shark its first lead of the game with a three-pointer from the top of key with under 12 to play. 

The lead was exchanged or tied four different times throughout the period's first 12 minutes. The Lakers retook the lead 66-64 and extended it back out to six with 7:41 to play. Clayton State pushed the lead into double-digits and finished with a 98-86 victory. 

USCB is back home on Wednesday as it hosts Lander with a 7:30 p.m. scheduled tip.