Moultrie, No. 12 Pirates Power Past Clayton State, 68-64

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Senior center Brian Moultrie notched 16 of his game-high 18 points in the second half in leading the No. 12-ranked Armstrong Atlantic men's basketball team to a 68-64 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Clayton State on Wednesday evening at Alumni Arena.

The Pirates (15-2, 8-2 PBC) are now off to their best start in school history since becoming a four-year program in 1966-67. Clayton State (11-6, 4-6 PBC) suffers another tough loss as their last five losses combined have been by just 12 points.

A big first half from senior T.T. Hall sparked the Pirates to a 36-28 lead at intermission. Hall hit for 10 points, including two three-pointers, while also helping the defense force 10 Laker turnovers. In the second half, attention turned inside to Moultrie, as he hit 8-of-9 shots after the break from the floor, en route to his 18 points. 

AASU opened up a 17-point lead early in the second half, leading 52-35 with 14:00 left, but Clayton State battled back to make it a two-point game, 60-58, after Bernard Fields' bank-in three-pointer with 4:30 remaining. A layup by Moultrie stretched the lead to four, 62-58, with 3:56 left, where the score would stay until a Gabriel Robinson free throw with 52 seconds left stretched the lead to five. AASU made just enough free throws in the final minute - 6-of-10- to come away with the victory.

Hall finished the game with 16 points to complement Moultrie's game-high 18 points and team-high seven rebounds. Clayton State placed four players in double figures, led by Freddie Williams' 15 points, 12 points apiece by Fields and Jaquas Dobbs, as well as 11 points and nine rebounds from Brian Kelly.

The Pirates travel to No. 14-ranked USC Aiken on Saturday, January 31, for a Peach Belt Conference clash with the Pacers.