FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-30-05

Men's College Basketball: AASU 69, Clayton State 63
Women's College Basketball: Clayton State 78, AASU 60

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men’s basketball team knocked off preseason Peach Belt Conference favorite Clayton State on Wednesday evening in both team’s league opener, 69-63, while the defending PBC Champion women’s team from Clayton State started on the road to defending its title with a 78-60 win over AASU.

The Pirate men (4-1, 1-0 PBC) went long range in building a six-point halftime over the Lakers (3-1, 0-1 PBC), hitting 7-of-14 three-pointers en route to a 38-32 lead at intermission. Clayton State kept the game tight in the second half behind Todd McLaurin, who scored a game-high 22 points, but the Pirates never relinquished the lead. Bryan Taylor led the Pirates with his second double-double of the season, scoring 20 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking four shots, while Tory Harris chipped in 16 points from the bench and Alex Carter added 11 points. Clayton State had three other players in double figures as Brandon Kelley chipped in 12 points and T.J. Waldon and John Beugnot added 10.

The Lady Lakers (4-1, 1-0 PBC) cruised to an easy 38-24 lead at halftime over the Lady Pirates (2-2, 0-1 PBC), but AASU fought back in the second half. A Peaches Howard layup with 8:40 remaining cut the Clayton State advantage to just three, 57-54, but AASU turned the ball over on four of its next five possessions as the Lady Lakers embarked on a 15-0 run and cruised to the 18-point win. Clayton State placed five players in double figures, led by Sharon Wiles and Savannah native Teri Willis, who each chipped in 15 points. Kaneetha Gordon led a quartet of Lady Pirates in double figures with 13 points and also added 17 rebounds.

Armstrong Atlantic next travels to Columbus State on Saturday, December 3, for a 5:30 p.m. / 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt doubleheader against the Cougars.

-Pirates-