FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-21-01

2001 AASU Men's Basketball Christmas Classic: Day One
Carson-Newman 85, AASU 69
UNC Pembroke 60, Lenoir-Rhyne 58

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Carson-Newman and UNC Pembroke each picked up wins after the first day of the 2001 AASU Christmas Classic Men's Basketball on Friday evening at Alumni Arena.

Carson-Newman (5-3) won its fifth game in a row by hitting 12 three-pointers - eight in the first half - to outpoint the host Pirates (4-4) by 16, 85-69. The Eagles placed five players in double figures, led by Calvin Owen's 17 points, and shot 51 percent from the floor in the victory. AASU trailed by four, 44-40, at halftime, but took a 47-46 lead with 16:10 remaining. The Eagles responded with a 17-7 run to pull away in the second half with the victory. Senior Willard Winn led the Pirates with 14 points, while senior Donta Humphries chipped in 13.

In the first game of the Classic, UNC Pembroke fought off a late-charging Lenoir-Rhyne squad to come away with a tight 60-58 victory.

UNC Pembroke (4-3) led by 14, 35-21, at halftime and increased the lead to 24, 47-23, with 15:58 remaining, but the Bears (2-9) went on a 21-4 run and eventually tied the ball game with five minutes remaining. With the score knotted at 58-all, Ty Phillips hit one of two free throws to give the Braves the lead and the ballgame. Randy Mauldin led all scorers with 22 points for Lenoir-Rhyne, while Kris Kerson and David Siebrands led the Braves with 12 points apiece.

Action in the 2001 Christmas Classic concludes tomorrow with UNC Pembroke facing Carson-Newman at 5:00 p.m. and AASU taking on Lenoir-Rhyne at 7:00 p.m.

- Pirates -