FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-15-06

2006 Chatham Orthopedics Holiday Classic Day One Recap

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Tory Harris hit the game-winning shot with 10 seconds remaining to give the Armstrong Atlantic men’s basketball team a 60-59 victory over No. 25-ranked Eckerd College, wrapping up an exciting day one of action at the 2006 Chatham Orthopedics Holiday Classic.

The host Pirates (6-1) took a five-point lead into halftime, 32-27, and led for almost the entire second half until Damone Morris’ free throw snapped a 58-all tie with 24 seconds remaining. The Pirates gave the ball to the capable hands of Harris, and the senior from Lakeland delivered with a game-winning shot from about eight feet out – his third game-winning shot in two seasons for AASU. Senior Bryan Taylor led the Pirates offensively with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Harris finished the night with 18 points. Morris led the Tritons (8-1) with 21 points. The win was the first for the Pirates over Eckerd in 10 tries.

On the women’s side, the Lady Pirates (5-3) fell behind Lander by 15 points at the half, 39-24, but kept chipping away at the Bearcats in the second half. A 10-0 run midway through the second half cut the Lander lead to just two, 53-51, with 9:34 remaining, then Kaneetha Gordon’s layup with 1:51 left gave the Pirates a one-point led, 70-6. Tiara Good had a chance to win it for the Bearcats (4-3) in the end, but her three-pointer fell short, giving AASU the 73-71 come-from-behind win. Good led all scorers with a scorching 34 points on the night, while Stephanie Ponds added 16 points and 15 rebounds for Lander Junior Ameshia Bryant came off the bench to lead the Lady Pirates with 18 points, while Gordon finished the night with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

The first men’s game of the day saw Lenoir-Rhyne hold Francis Marion without a field goal for the final seven minutes in taking a 55-47 win over the Patriots. The Bears (4-4) were led by Josh Kindred’s 19 points and 11 rebounds on the day, while Francis Marion (3-5) received 15 points off the bench from Dominic Bishop.

In the first women’s game, Columbus State held off Fayetteville State, 86-72, with a big advantage at the free throw line. The Lady Cougars (5-3) hit 25-of-32 free throws, compared to the Lady Broncos, who hit just 7-of-23 from the charity stripe. Kayleigh Epps led a quartet of Columbus State players in double figures with 20 points, while Cherwonna Walker added a double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds and Monica Sicka did the same with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Fayetteville State (4-3) was led by Shavovia Sheppard’s 15 points off the bench and Deana Wooten’s 14 second-half points.

Action in the Classic concludes on Saturday with four games. Lander takes on Columbus State in women’s action at 1 p.m., then Eckerd faces the Francis Marion men at 3 p.m. AASU’s women hosts Fayetteville State at 6 p.m., and the Pirate men close out action with an 8 p.m.. matchup against Lenoir-Rhyne.

-Pirates-