FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-8-01

Men's Basketball: AASU 83, Claflin 63

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball placed four players in double figures in defeating Claflin, 83-63, in a non-conference game at Alumni Arena on Saturday evening.

Junior Lamarr Chears led the Pirates (3-3) with his first double-double of the year, coming off of the bench to record 18 points and 12 rebounds. Juniors Dave Pisarcik and Jason Sanders each chipped in 16 points, while senior Mick Jordan pumped in 12 points. Claflin (1-11) was led by Charles Bankhead's 20 points and Tavarus Mack's 18 points.

The Pirates opened the game by scoring the first six points, then pushed their early first-half lead to 14, 28-14, half-way through the first period. AASU went into the break leading by 17, 44-27, then took control in the second half behind Chears' 12 points and nine rebounds after halftime. The Pirates also shot a season-best 88.2 percent from the free throw line (15-of-17), while forcing 20 Claflin turnovers.

The AASU men's basketball team is next in action on Monday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. at cross-town rival Savannah State, part of an AASU/SSU basketball doubleheader. The AASU/SSU women's teams will also play at 5:30 p.m.

- Pirates -