Men's Basketball: UNC Pembroke 62, No. 25 AASU 60; Women's Basketball: UNC Pembroke 81, AASU 66

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-27-07

Men's Basketball: UNC Pembroke 62, No. 25 AASU 60
Women's Basketball: UNC Pembroke 81, AASU 66

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Darren Jeffries’ layup with 1.5 seconds remaining gave visiting UNC Pembroke a 62-60 upset victory over Armstrong Atlantic, completing a Peach Belt Conference sweep over the Pirates on Saturday evening at Alumni Arena. The UNCP women picked up an 81-66 win over the Lady Pirates in the day’s first game.

Jeffries’ shot completed an improbable comeback win after the Pirates (14-5, 5-3 PBC) took a six-point lead, 60-54, with 1:33 remaining after Kevin Parker’s third straight three-pointer. Jeffries hit two free throws, then the Braves stole the inbounds pass and converted on a layup by Cortez Brown to cut the score to two. AASU turned the ball over again on a five-second call, unable to make an inbounds pass, and Jarrell Hunter tied the game with a layup with 54 seconds left. Tory Harris’ bid to take the lead was blocked by Jonathan Hart, and the Braves got the rebound to set up the game-winning shot.

UNC Pembroke (5-15, 4-5 PBC) shot an unconscious 71.4 percent from the floor in the second half, hitting 15-of-21 shots, while holding the Pirates below 35 percent from the floor in both halves with an aggressive zone defense. Hart led the Braves offensively with 17 points, while Hunter chipped in 16 and Jeffries added 14 off the bench. Jamaal Galloway hit 5-of-17 three-pointers – just one of the single-game school 3-point attempt record – for a team-high 16 points, while Parker finished with 14 points and Bryan Taylor added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

In the women’s contest, UNC Pembroke shot a blistering 56.3 percent from the field in handing the Lady Pirates their third straight loss. UNC Pembroke (8-12, 5-4 PBC) scored the game’s first 11 points and never looked back as Tasha Stotler led all players with 23. Victoria Willis added 14 points and five assists for the Lady Braves, while Natalie Ray added 12 points off the bench. The Lady Pirates (10-9, 4-4 PBC) were led by Kaneetha Gordon’s 17 points and 10 rebounds – her 12^th double-double of the season. Tana Griffiths chipped in 16 points and Lacey Willis added 11 points off the bench.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, January 31, with a PBC doubleheader at Augusta State at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men).

- Pirates -