FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-14-04

Women's Basketball: No. 25 AASU 75, Clayton State 63
Men's Basketball: AASU 64, Clayton State 60

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men’s and women’s basketball teams swept a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader from visiting Clayton College & State University at Alumni Arena on Wednesday afternoon in the Pirates’ home league opener. The AASU men rallied from a six-point halftime deficit to win, 64-60, while the No. 25-ranked women used a first-half barrage of threes to outdistance the Lady Lakers, 75-63.

The Lady Pirates (11-3, 2-1 PBC) hit 7-of-17 three-pointers in the first half to open up a 12-point lead on the Lady Lakers (8-6, 0-3 PBC), then maintained that margin for the victory. Playing without the PBC’s leading scorer, Tasha Washington (foot), the Lady Pirates got a balanced scoring effort with four players in double figures, led by senior Vandy Noldon’s 18 points. Junior Briana Milam added 11 points and six assists, while senior Marloes Renskers chipped in 10 points and junior Ramona Wright added a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds off of the bench.

Clayton State also placed four players in double figures, led by a suprising Cynthia Conseil, who almost doubled her season output with 16 points – she entered Wednesday’s game with 17 points the whole year. Apryl Brown added 15 points, while Brandi Catia added 13 points – all in the first half – and Jamika Hindsman chipped in 11 points.

In the men’s contest, the high-flying Lakers (11-3, 1-2 PBC) jumped out to a 41-35 halftime lead behind five three pointers and the excellent play of their starting backcourt, Kevin Young and Darien Chavis, who combined for 22 points in the first half. The Pirates (12-2, 3-0 PBC) responded, however, holding the Lakers to just 19 second-half points to register the come-from-behind win. AASU took its first lead of the second half on two free throws by freshman Bryan Taylor, putting the Pirates up 57-56 with 3:52 remaining. A Brian Bain jumper – two of his game-high 27 points – then put AASU up by three, and the Pirates made 4-of-4 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory, AASU’s eighth straight conference win dating back to last season.

The Pirates made just 18 field goals, but went 25-of-31 from the free throw line, including 18-of-22 in the second half, to come away with the win. Clayton State hit just 38 percent from the floor in the second half and the duo of Young and Chavis were held to a combined eight points after intermission. Bain led all scorers with a 6-for-12 performance from the floor, including 2-of-4 three-pointers, and 13-of-16 from the free throw line for his 27 points. Taylor added 11 points for AASU and senior Tim Black chipped in 10 points. Young led Clayton State with 16 points, while Jason Byrd added 15 points and Chavis finished with 14 points.

AASU returns to action with a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Saturday, January 17, as they host Francis Marion at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men). Clayton State returns to action as they travel to Lander for a matchup with the Senators at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men).

-Pirates-