FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-7-04

Women's Basketball: No. 24 AASU 78, No. 16 GC&SU 67
Men's Basketball: AASU 66, GC&SU 54

Release Courtesy of GC&SU Sports Information

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Georgia College & State University had trouble shooting on its home floor and was swept in its Peach Belt Conference opener by Armstrong Atlantic State University Wednesday night in the Centennial Center. The 16th ranked Lady Bobcats suffered their first loss of the season, falling 78-67 to the 24th ranked Lady Pirates, who have now won eight straight. The AASU men completed the sweep with a 66-54 victory over the Bobcats.

In the women’s game, GC&SU (11-1, 0-1 PBC) hit only 2 of its first 12 shots as Armstrong Atlantic State (10-2, 1-0 PBC) slowly built an 8-4 lead. After nine lead changes in the first half, AASU used a late 10-0 run to build a nine point lead at 40-31 and went into the locker room with a 43-36 advantage at halftime. The Lady Pirates shot 51.4% (19-37) from the floor in the first frame, while the Lady Bobcats shot only 34.2% (13-38).

GC&SU finally closed the gap to one point midway through the second half on a pair of free throws from Alicia Ransom. The Lady Bobcats kept the game close, but could never take the lead the rest of the way. The Lady Pirates hit their free throws down the stretch and held on for the 78-67 victory for their second straight win over a nationally ranked team.

Tasha Washington led AASU with 27 points and 6 assists, while Keneetha Gordon posted her third double-double of the season with a career high 15 points and 18 rebounds. Marloes Renskers added 10 points off the bench. Renea Phelps led GC&SU with 16 points, while Adrienne Tucker added 15 and Rachael Jackson scored 10 points. The Lady Pirates controlled the boards, out-rebounding the Lady Bobcats 54-43. AASU shot 45.1% (32-71) from the floor for the game, while the Lady Bobcats shot a dismal 30.1% (22-73) for the game, including 25.7% (9-35) in the second half.

In the men’s game, Armstrong Atlantic State (10-2, 1-0 PBC) opened the contest with an 11-3 run and never trailed in the game on the way to the 66-54 victory over GC&SU (3-9, 0-1 PBC). The Pirates still torched the nets after shooting 53% (28-53) from the floor, while the Bobcats shot only 37% (20-54).

The Pirates shot 58.3% (14-24) in the first half and used a 10-2 run with 5:50 remaining to stretch the lead to double digits before settling for a 33-25 advantage at halftime. Another 10-0 run early in the second half stretched the lead back out to 14 points at 45-33, and the Bobcats never recovered.

Brian Bain and Tim Black led AASU with 14 points apiece, while Justin Wood added 12 and Jason Sanders scored 10 points. Tylan Gatling led GC&SU with 15 points, while Duke Gibbs scored 13.

GC&SU plays at home again Saturday with a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader against Lander University. The Lady Bobcats tip things off at 5:30 p.m. AASU visits Augusta State in PBC action on Saturday against the Jaguars.

-Pirates-