FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-23-02

Men's Basketball: GC&SU 54, AASU 53
Women's Basketball: GC&SU 66, AASU 58

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Georgia College & State University's men's team erased a 20-6 first-half deficit to hold on for a 54-53 Peach Belt Conference basketball victory over host Armstrong Atlantic State on Wednesday evening, earning a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates.

AASU (10-6, 6-3 PBC) looked strong in the early going, jumping out to the early advantage behind senior Willard Winn's six points and three blocked shots, but GC&SU (11-6, 6-4 PBC) closed to within four at halftime and then took the lead for good by using a 14-7 run midway through the second half. The Pirates still had a chance to win the game as they had the basketball with 24 seconds left and down by one, but AASU could not get a shot attempt, turning the ball over with just two ticks left on the clock. Reigning PBC Player of the Week Rodney Keener led all scorers with 20 points for the Bobcats, while Derrick Nicholson added 14 points. AASU was led by Winn's 10 points and senior Bart Westgeest's nine points and 10 rebounds.

In the women's game, GC&SU (10-7, 6-4 PBC) held the Lady Pirates scoreless for the first 7:30 of the game, leading 14-0, and led AASU (6-10, 4-5 PBC) by 12 at halftime, 32-20. The Lady Pirates used an early 8-0 run to climb back into the game after the intermission, however, and two free throws by junior All-America candidate Zandrique Cason cut the GC&SU lead to just one, 45-44, with 8:51 remaining in the game. Two free throws by Betsy Foy and a three by Breane Haggard put the Lady Bobcats out of reach as GC&SU won its 13^th straight game over the Lady Pirates, dating back to 1996. Haggard led all scorers with her career-high 22 points, while the Lady Pirates were led by senior Lexie Martin's 17 points and Cason's 15 points to go with 10 boards.

The Pirate basketball teams return to action on Saturday, January 26 as they host UNC Pembroke for Homecoming 2002 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -