FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-13-03

Men's College Basketball: AASU 77, UNC Pembroke 53
Women's College Basketball: AASU 84, UNC Pembroke 61

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team shot a sizzling 60 percent from the field to register its second-biggest Peach Belt Conference win in school history, routing UNC Pembroke, 77-53, on Monday evening to complete a PBC sweep of the Braves. The Lady Pirates won their school record-tying eighth consecutive game with an 84-61 win over UNC Pembroke in the first game of the day.

The Pirates (4-8, 3-2 PBC) used a 21-8 run in the first half to take control of UNC Pembroke (0-13, 0-5 PBC) early. Senior Dave Pisarcik hit his first five shots from the floor - including two three-pointers - en route to 13 first-half points as AASU opened up an 18-point lead at halftime, 43-25. In the second half, it was senior Ian Jones, who hit five-of-six shots from the floor en route to a career-high 18 points as the Pirates won by 24 points. Junior Daryl Williams and Pisarcik each chipped in 16 points for AASU. UNC Pembroke hit just 34 percent of its shots from the floor and could not capitalize at the charity stripe either, hitting just 41 percent of its free throws. Desi Crisp led the Braves with 13 points - all in the second half.

The Armstrong Atlantic State women's team held the Lady Braves without a field goal in the first 10 minutes of the game to jump out in front, 24-4, and cruise to the 23-point victory. The Lady Pirates (12-1, 5-0 PBC) have won eight in a row, the fourth time in school history that's happened, and have already surpassed last season's victory total. Every Lady Pirate player who dressed out scored, led by junior Tasha Washington, who tallied 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. Junior Tishay Lewis added 12 points and nine rebounds, while junior Vandy Noldon added 11 pointsoff the bench. UNC Pembroke (4-7, 0-5 PBC) matched the Lady Pirates in the second half as both teams scored 38 points after halftime, which AASU led, 46-23. Lindsay Bartholf led the Lady Braves with 17 points, while Ebony Orr chipped in 12 points and Jameka Dixon added 10 points off the bench. UNC Pembroke committed 28 turnovers in the game, and the Lady Pirates outrebounded the Lady Braves by 10, 44-34.

The AASU men's and women's teams are next in action on Wednesday, January 8 in Aiken, S.C., as they take on USC Aiken. Game times are 5:30 p.m. for the women and 7:30 p.m. for the men.

- Pirates -