FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-24-04

Men's Basketball: AASU 71, Lander 60
Women's Basketball: No. 21 AASU 62, Lander 58

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men’s and women’s basketball teams swept a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader from visiting Lander University at Alumni Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Pirates outpointed the Lady Bearcats, 62-58, in a tough defensive struggle, while the AASU men and Lander’s men staged a shooting clinic that went to the Pirates, 71-60.

The AASU men were locked in a tie game with Lander at 50-all with 9:34 remaining, but the Pirates broke out on a 12-3 run and pulled away late from the Bearcats, winning by 11. The Pirates (13-4, 4-2 PBC) shot 51 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range, hitting 7-of-14 shots from beyond the arc, in the victory. Lander (5-11, 2-4 PBC) opened up hot, hitting its first four three-pointers from the floor and shooting a sparkling 58 percent from the floor in the first half and finished the game with a respectable 48 percent from the floor, including 8-of-19 three-pointers (42 percent). AASU placed three players in double figures, led by senior Brian Bain’s 19 points and freshman Bryan Taylor’s 14 points. Senior Jason Sanders chipped in 11 points for the Pirates, while Lander was led by Arturs Stalbergs’ 12 points off the bench and Kenneth Nether’s 10 points.

In the women’s game, the Lady Pirates (14-3, 5-1 PBC) trailed by one at halftime, 38-37, and did not take a lead from Lander (12-4, 4-2 PBC) in the second half until Vandy Noldon’s free throw with 5:38 remaining put AASU up by one, 50-49. Noldon then canned a three-pointer just seconds later and the Lady Pirates hit their free throws down the stretch to win by four. Senior Tasha Washington had seven of her game-high 18 points in the final two minutes for AASU, while Noldon added 11 points as AASU forced 27 turnovers by the Lady Bearcats and collected 18 steals. Lander placed three players in double figures, led by Tracy Jacobs’ game-high 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the floor. Jennifer Beamon added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Natasha Hemphill also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday with a PBC doubleheader at Clayton State beginning at 5:30 p.m. Lander is next in action at Augusta State on Wednesday, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

-Pirates-