FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-17-07

Men's Basketball: Augusta State 83, No. 20 AASU 74
Women's Basketball: AASU 73, Augusta State 74

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State and Augusta State split a Peach Belt Conference basketball doubleheader on Wednesday at Alumni Arena. Jasmine Herron’s two free throws with 3.7 seconds left gave the Lady Pirates a 73-71 win over the Lady Jaguars, while Augusta State’s men ended No. 20-ranked AASU’s 13-game home winning streak with an 83-74 victory.

The Jaguars (13-3, 5-0 PBC) blew open a close game in the second half with a 22-6 run in an eight minute stretch, taking a 44-43 lead and extending it to 66-49 with 8:07 remaining. AASU cut the lead to five, 70-65, with 3:58 left, but Augusta State made seven of eight free throws down the stretch to fight off the Pirates (12-4, 3-2 PBC). The loss was the first for the Pirates at home since January 23, 2006 – a win by Augusta State – and keeps Augusta State in a tie for first place in the PBC South Division with Clayton State. The Jaguars placed four players in double figures, led by PBC leading scorer AJ Bowman’s 22 points, Daniel Dixon’s 18 points and Ben Madgen’s 17 points. AASU was led by Bryan Taylor’s 19 points and 10 rebounds and Tory Harris’ 15 points. Both teams shot better than 50 percent from the floor, but the Jaguars hit 9-of-13 three-pointers on the night for 69 percent.

In the women’s contest, the Lady Pirates (10-6, 4-1 PBC) trailed by two with 29 seconds left when Jasmine Herron hit a baseline jumper to tie the contest at 71-all. Augusta State (9-6, 1-4 PBC) held for presumably the last shot, but Shirrell Ford missed a perimeter shot, and Herron grabbed the rebound with five seconds left. As Herron made a move to bring the ball up the court, Augusta State’s Deo Ngulela fouled Herron in the backcourt, putting her on the line for two free throws with 3.7 seconds let. Herron calmly converted both threes, and the Jaguars were unable to get a shot off before time expired, giving AASU the win. Kaneetha Gordon led all players with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Hornage added 11 points and Herron added nine points and four assists. Augusta State was led by Tiffany Paschal’s 13 points and 10 rebounds as well as Brittany Jarrard’s 13 points.

AASU returns to action on Saturday, January 20, with a PBC doubleheader at Lander at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men).

- Pirates -