FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-22-01

2001 AASU Men's Basketball Christmas Classic: Day Two
AASU 58, Lenoir-Rhyne 57 OT
Carson-Newman 96, UNC Pembroke 90

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Carson-Newman and host Armstrong Atlantic State closed out the 2001 AASU Christmas Classic with victories on Saturday evening at Alumni Arena.

The Pirates (5-4) had to go to overtime to beat Lenoir-Rhyne (2-10), winning the game on senior Donta Humphries' basket on an offensive rebound with 11 seconds left in the extra period. AASU trailed by six, 57-51, with 2:27 remaining in overtime but a three-pointer by Justin Wood and a dunk on another offensive rebound by Winn put the Pirates in position to win the game. AASU was led offensively by senior Bart Westgeest, who scored a career-high 17 points and went to the free throw line 17 times - more than the entire Bear squad - making nine. Lenoir-Rhyne was led by Ryan Pitts' 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

In the first game of the day, Carson-Newman extended its winning streak to six with a 96-90 shootout victory over UNC Pembroke.

The Eagles and the Braves combined to hit 29 three-point baskets in the offensive clinic, but Carson-Newman (6-3) had the edge, getting 34 points from Calvin Owen, who hit 8-of-15 from beyond the arc by himself. Kyle Gribble added 17 points and Andrae Starling chipped in 16 for the Eagles, while UNC Pembroke (4-4) placed five players in double figures, led by Jay Bruer's 24 points.

AASU returns to action after the Christmas holidays on Wednesday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Clayton College & State University.

- Pirates -