FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11-24-01

Courtesy Wingate University Sports Information

#15 Wingate 73, Armstrong Atlantic State 59

WINGATE, N.C. - The Wingate University men’s basketball team bolted to a 28-point second half lead and coasted to a 73-59 win over Armstrong Atlantic State University this afternoon in Cuddy Arena on the Wingate campus.

The number 15 team in the NABC/Division II Bulletin top 25 poll, Wingate improves to 4-1 overall. Armstrong Atlantic State is 0-2 overall. Wingate visits Belmont Abbey Tuesday night for a 7 p.m. contest. AASU visits Peach Belt Conference foe Francis Marion Wednesday (7:30 p.m.).

The Bulldogs led 39-28 at intermission, thanks to 11 first-half points by senior point guard Lorinza Harrington (Wagram, N.C.). A jumper by junior guard Djuan Hankins (Roanoke, Va.) gave Wingate a 31-18 edge at the 6:46 mark, the Bulldogs’ biggest lead of the period.

A short jumper by junior center Rashid West (Easley, S.C.) put Wingate up 66-38 with 8:33 remaining in the contest, giving the hosts their biggest lead of the day and capping a 27-10 outburst.

A field goal by Hankins at 3:12 was Wingate’s only field goal in the final eight minutes. A traditional three-point play by Pirate senior guard Mick Jordan cut Wingate’s margin to 11 (70-59) with 1:23 to play, but the visitors would get no closer.

Harrington led all scorers with 16 points. The pre-season All-SAC pick added six rebounds, five assists and four steals. Harrington hit six-of-nine shots from the floor and did not commit a turnover in 28 minutes played.

Junior forward Lamarr Chears led the Pirates with 13 points off the bench. Junior guard Dave Pisarcik added 11 markers for AASU.