FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 12-17-99

AASU Men's Basketball Defeats Belmont Abbey, 71-53

Lenoir-Rhyne downs Francis Marion, 72-50, In Earlier Doubleheader Action

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Sophomore Mick Jordan hit five-of-five three-pointers for a game-high 17 points as the host Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates defeated Belmont Abbey, 71-53, in men's college basketball action Friday evening at Alumni Arena.

Jordan led four AASU players in double figures as the Pirates (4-4) climbed back to .500 with the victory. Junior Robert Campbell added 13 points and eight assists, while juniors Greg Favors and Tavares Brown chipped in 12 points apiece. The Crusaders (4-2) were led by Mike Hudson and Israel Sturdivant, who each tallied 12 points.

The Pirates jumped out to a quick 14-3 lead to start the game and led by 10 at halftime, 38-28. AASU stretched the lead to 19 midway through the second half on Jordan's threes and nine straight points from Brown to put the game away early. Belmont Abbey shot just 30 percent from the field and just 39 percent from the free throw line, despite shooting 15 more free throws than the Pirates.

In earlier doubleheader action at Alumni Arena, Lenoir-Rhyne used 28 points from Daniel Willis to defeat Francis Marion, 72-50. Willis hit six-of-16 shots from the field but converted on 14-of-16 attempts at the free throw line. Bryan Lentz added 12 points for the Bears (5-3), who have won more games this year than they did all of last season. Francis Marion (3-4) was led by Will Tucker's 17 points.

Saturday, Francis Marion and Belmont Abbey square off at 6 p.m. while the host Pirates will face Lenoir-Rhyne at 8:00 p.m.

- Pirates -