Men's Basketball: AASU 80, Columbus State 64; Women's Basketball: AASU 74, Columbus State 63

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-10-07

Men's Basketball: AASU 80, Columbus State 64
Women's Basketball: AASU 74, Columbus State 63

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Patrick Sanou’s career-high 19 points helped the Armstrong Atlantic State men’s basketball team pull away with an 80-64 Peach Belt Conference men’s basketball victory over visiting Columbus State on Saturday at Alumni Arena. Meanwhile, the AASU women placed five players in double figures in picking up a 74-63 victory over Columbus State earlier in the day.

Sanou and the Pirates (17-6, 8-4 PBC) exploited a significant size advantage against Columbus State (14-9, 7-5 PBC) as the forward made 9-of-13 shots from the floor, all in the paint, in pacing the win for AASU. The Pirates led by as many as 14 in the first half, but Columbus State cut the margin to two at halftime, 35-33. The Cougars took a brief lead to open the second half on Battle Neal’s three-pointer, but the Pirates made baskets on five straight possessions to retake a 45-40 lead three minutes into the period and never looked back. Tory Harris added a double-double for the Pirates with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Jamaal Galloway chipped in 13 points off the bench and Darly Massamba added 12. Columbus State was led by Ron Robinson’s 13 points and Corris Portis’ 12 bench points. Columbus State hit just 5-of-26 threes on the game, while AASU hit 8-of-16 from beyond the arc.

In the women’s contest, the Lady Pirates (12-11, 6-6 PBC) picked up their second straight win with the 11-point victory over the Lady Cougars (16-7, 8-4 PBC). Kaneetha Gordon registered her 16^th double-double of the season with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Ameshia Bryant and Tana Griffiths each notched 14 points and Jasmine Herron added 11 points and five steals. Lacey Willis chipped in 10 points off the bench, giving AASU five players in double figures for the first time this season. Columbus State was a one-woman show as Kayleigh Epps hit 8-of-20 shots from the floor, including 4-of-11 three-pointers, for a game-high 27 points.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, February 14, with a PBC doubleheader at GCSU at 5:30 p.m. (women) and 7:30 p.m. (men).

- Pirates -