FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-9-02

Men's Basketball: USC Aiken 59, AASU 56
Women's Basketball: No. 21 USC Aiken 74, AASU 61

SAVANNAH, Ga. – USC Aiken swept a Peach Belt Conference basketball doubleheader from Armstrong Atlantic State on Wednesday evening as the men's team held on for a 59-56 victory and the No. 21-ranked women's team defeated the Lady Pirates, 74-61.

The men's game featured a see-saw battle in the second half as the lead changed six times in the first 15 minutes, but Adam Waskavitz's basket with 5:14 left put the Pacers up, 57-56. Neither team would score until the Pirates (7-5, 3-2 PBC) were forced to foul with 1.1 seconds remaining. Clint Keown, the PBC's leading scorer, sank both free throws for USC Aiken (6-6, 2-3 PBC) and a full-court desperation pass was broken up, giving the Pacers their second straight PBC win. Keown led all scorers with 20 points, while Eric Dugans chipped in 11 for USC Aiken. AASU, who committed a season-high 24 turnovers, were led by Willard Winn, who scored 11 points and blocked four shots.

In the women's game, the Lady Pirates (5-7, 2-3 PBC) trailed the No. 21-ranked Lady Pacers (11-1, 5-0 PBC) by 14 at halftime, but AASU battled back in the second half behind the three-point shooting of Kristin Brewer to tie the game at 46-all, outscoring USC Aiken 22-8 coming out of halftime. But USC Aiken scored the next 11 points, to take control of the game and go on to the 74-61 win. Julie Szabo led all scorers with 26 points, while Jami Cornwell pumped in 18 points - 14 in the second half - for the Lady Pacers, who extended their school-record winning streak to 10 straight games. AASU was led by junior Zandrique Cason's 18 points and 14 rebounds and junior Kristin Brewer's 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three point range.

The Pirate basketball teams return to action on Saturday, January 12 as they host Columbus State for a PBC doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. USC Aiken hosts USC Spartanburg on Saturday, January 12 for a PBC doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m.

- Pirates -