FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-27-99

Elizabeth City State Drops the Lady Pirates, 59-51

Courtesy of Mount Olive College Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – Elizabeth City State outscored Armstrong Atlantic State, 13-5, over the final six minutes to claim a 59-51 victory in their second round matchup of the Mount Olive College Thanksgiving Classic.

The game saw the two teams trade the lead 10 times and share the lead six times. The final tie came when AASU's Lori Green completed a three-point play with 6:10 to go, knotting the game at 46-all. Raquita Washington, an all-Tournament selection, made a field goal five seconds later to give ECSU the lead for good, 48-46. AASU turned the ball over on each of its next two possessions.

The Pirates (2-3) cut their turnovers in half from Friday night's contest, from 45 down to 22, but five of those came during the final six minutes with the game on the line. Armstrong also hurt itself with poor free throw shooting, making just four of its last eight down the stretch.

AASU did cut the deficit to three, 52-49, on a field goal by Rica Bush with 4:09 to play, but Aretha Williams' field goal put ECSU back up by five.

Krista Ziegler led the Lady Vikings in scoring with 18 points. Washington added 15 points and Kim Bedgood contributed 10 points and nine rebounds. All-tournament team pick Lexie Martin paced the Pirates with 10 points, while Lori Green chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

- Pirates -