FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-11-06

Men's College Basketball: AASU 63, Lander 51
Women's College Basketball: AASU 68, Lander 40

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men’s basketball team stretched its win streak to seven with a 63-51 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Lander University on Wednesday evening, completing a doubleheader sweep of the Bearcats at Alumni Arena. The AASU women got back on the winning track with a 68-40 win over the Lady Bearcats.

The Pirates (11-2, 5-1 PBC) used a big defensive stretch late in the first half to pull away from a game Lander (3-8, 0-4 PBC) squad, closing out the first half on a 15-2 run to take a 39-31 lead into halftime. AASU held the Bearcats without a field goal for the last 7:19 of the first half, and then held on in the second half for their seventh straight win, the longest win streak for head coach Jeff Burkhamer as the Pirates’ head man. AASU placed four players in double figures, led by sophomore William Kane, who hit 6-of-8 shots from the floor, including 4-of-4 three-pointers, for 18 points – doubling his previous season high of nine, set in the first game of the season at Queens (NC). Jamaal Galloway added 11 points – all in the first half, while Alex Carter and Bryan Taylor each chipped in 10 points. Scottie Smith led the Bearcats with 10 points, while reigning PBC Player of the Week Jarred Jackson was held without a field goal on the night and ended with just two points.

The AASU women (8-5, 3-3 PBC) used a similar run to close out the first half and coast past an undermanned Lander (4-7, 0-4 PBC) squad to pick up the victory. AASU entered halftime on a 21-4 run, building a 36-16 halftime advantage and going on to the victory, holding Lander to just 26 percent shooting from the floor. The points allowed were the fewest by the Lady Pirates since they defeated Spelman, 85-41, on Jan. 8, 2003. Peaches Howard led all scorers for AASU with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor as 12 different Lady Pirates dented the scoring column. Tara Nyikavaranda led the Lady Bearcats with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Armstrong Atlantic takes a week off, then returns to action on Wednesday, January 18, as they host USC Upstate for a PBC doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. Lander is next in action on Saturday, January 14, as it travels to Augusta State for a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader.

-Pirates-