LAKELAND, Fla - Led by a trio of 20-point scorers on Saturday afternoon, the Barry University men's basketball team scored the opening two baskets of the game against Clayton State and never trailed in a 107-96 triumph.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Barry 107, Clayton State 107
Records: Barry (6-3, 0-2 SSC), Clayton State (3-5, 0-0 PBC)
All-Time Series: Barry leads 2-0

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• 1H | Barry scored the opening two baskets of the contest, creating a double-digit lead at 12-2 with 15:56 remaining in the opening half. Clayton State cut the separation in half behind a 5-0 run before the Buccaneer defense held them without another run of consecutive points until a 6-0 rally created a 32-17 score with 8:25 left in the first half. The Lakers rallied to get as close as 12 at 36-24 only for a 6-0 retort by Barry extending their lead with neither side recording a run greater than three until back-to-back Clayton State baskets to end the half made it 47-33 at the break.
• 2H | Clayton State used a 6-0 start to the second half to cut the deficit to single digits at 47-39, getting as close as four at 61-57 before a 7-1 Barry run recreated its double-digit advantage at 68-58 with 12:30 remaining in the contest. Barry held the Lakers without another run of more than two consecutive baskets for the duration of the contest to maintain the advantage.

NOTEWORTHY:

• James Montgomery boasted a double-double behind 20 points and 16 rebounds on top of five assists and three blocks.
• Nick Anderson scored 25 points with four triples.
• Malik Stanley scored 25 points with three assists and two steals.
• Adren Roberts scored 18 points off 7-9 shooting with 12 rebounds, one block and one steal.
• Barry converted on 37-66 shots, going 11-24 from distance and 22-28 from the free throw line.
• Clayton State went 38-80 from the field, 11-27 from three-point territory and 9-17 from the free throw line.
• Barry committed 18 turnovers, resulting in 25 points for the Lakers. Clayton State committed 14 turnovers, leading to 20 points for Barry.
• Barry held a 44-35 advantage in rebounds.
• Barry recorded seven steals with five blocks while Clayton State had 12 steals and two blocks.
• The last four seasons where Barry has recorded back-to-back 100-point games (2021-22, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16) the Bucs went on to win 20 or more games and advance to the NCAA Division II South Regional.

ON THE HORIZON:
Barry concludes play in the Century Retail Christmas Classic on Sunday, Dec. 17 against Findlay in a 5:00 pm matchup.