Larkin Ignites Bucs Against Lawson State

TUSCALOOSA - Freshman King Larkin made the most of his first career start in  conference play Thursday night. 

The Tuscaloosa native scored on a slam dunk off the opening tipoff and scored a game-high 15 points leading the Shelton State Community College men's basketball team to a 71-57 win over Lawson State.

Larkin made 6-of-12 field goal attempts and added nine rebounds. He has scored 52 points in the last three games for the Bucs. 

Shelton State (19-5, 6-2 ACCC) took a 35-26 lead at halftime.

Lawson State (10-13, 2-6 ACCC) got a quick three pointer from Yousef Bowyer to start second half, but then missed its next nine shots and watched the Bucs slowly pull away.

Shelton State shot 50 percent (27-of-54) from the field, but missed 18 free throws to keep the Cougars in the games.

The Bucs finished 14-of-32 (.408) at the foul line.

Sophomore Bryant Aijero had 14 points and seven rebounds. He made 7-of-9 field goal attempts, but missed all five free throws.

Freshman Fred Derrick had 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steaks off the bench. He had scored only 11 points in his previous four games.

Bowyer (21) and Jayden Bynes (10) were the only two Cougars in double figures.

Lawson State has list six straight conference games.

The Bucs are back in action Monday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Calhoun Community College.