FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-26-99

Fayetteville State Downs AASU, 69-58, In Women's Basketball

Courtesy of Mount Olive College Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Fayetteville State held Armstrong Atlantic State to just five points in the opening 12 minutes, forced 45 Pirate turnovers and came away with a 69-58 victory on Friday evening at the Mount Olive College Thanksgiving Classic.

Facing a relentless Fayetteville State press, AASU turned the ball over seven times in its first eight possessions in the game, and by the nine-minute mark of the first period had already amassed 15 turnovers. The Pirates also made just two of their first 12 shots from the field.

Marian Moore scored six of her 19 points during the game's first 12 minutes, and her field goal with 7:53 to go in the period gave the Lady Broncos their biggest lead of the game, 19-5. FSU (1-2) shot just 37 percent from the field in the first half and committed 19 first-half turnovers of their own, leaving the door open for an AASU comeback.

The Pirates (2-2) took advantage over the final eight minutes of the first half as Duanda Ball and Rica Bush combined for 13 points during a 14-2 run that pulled AASU back to within two points, 21-19. Trailing by four at intermission, AASU completed its comeback early in the second half with consecutive layups by Lexie Martin and Melissa Germany, taking the lead, 29-27, with 17:17 to play.

Fayetteville State then went on a 15-1 to effectively put the game away early in thse second half. Moore scored seven points during the run and Shaunici Morgan added six.

Morgan's game-high 19 points also included nine steals. Alicia Clarke scored 10 points and Joreka Bess grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for Fayetteville State, while Ball led AASU with 15 points and Craig added nine. Martin chipped in eight points, five rebounds and three steals.

- Pirates -