FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-30-00

Men's Basketball: Armstrong Atlantic State 70, Valdosta State 51

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team used a 9-0 run in the second half to take control of a see-saw game and pull away down the stretch, giving the Pirates a 70-51 victory over Valdosta State on Saturday afternoon.

Valdosta State (4-6) took a one-point lead, 31-30, on Chip Stroud's three-pointer with 13:49 remaining in the second half, but then the Pirates (8-5) got a three-pointer, a steal and then a layup by junior Donta Humphries to take a 35-31 lead, then four free throws by junior Bart Westgeest and a three-pointer by junior Mick Jordan put the Pirates up by 11, 42-31, with 11:22 remaining. The Blazers would get to within six, 43-37, on Erick Washington's jumper with 9:56 left but that would be the closest Valdosta State would get.

Senior center Cyrille Mainnemarre led all scorers with 17 poins and added eight rebounds and three blocked shots for the Pirates. Westgeest added 12 points and senior Robert Campbell added 11 points and five steals. Valdosta State was led by the duo of Washington and Jon Bolden, who each tallied 11 points.

AASU returns to the court on Wednesday, January 3 as they return to Peach Belt Conference play against Francis Marion at 7:30 p.m.

- Pirates -

Women's Basketball: Gardner-Webb 88, Armstrong Atlantic State 81

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Gardner-Webb held the Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball game scoreless over the last 1:25 to come away with an 88-81 victory on Saturday afternoon in Savannah.

The Bulldogs (4-8) had taken the lead on Casey Collins two free throws with 8:16 left and stretched their lead to seven, 77-70, with 3:51 left but the Lady Pirates (4-6) cut the lead to one on Lexie Martin's three-pointer with 1:25 remaining. AASU could not score again, however, giving Gardner-Webb the victory.

The Lady Pirates' Zandrique Cason led all scorers with 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead AASU. Lexie Martin chipped in 16 points while the Bulldogs were led by Angela Thornton's 23 points and Casey Collins' 18 points. Gardner-Webb outrebounded the Lady Pirates 64-32 in a foul-filled game that saw 60 fouls called on both teams combined.

AASU returns to the court on Wednesday, January 3 as they return to Peach Belt Conference play against Francis Marion at 5:30 p.m.

- Pirates -