FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-4-06

Men's College Basketball: AASU 75, USC Aiken 65
Women's College Basketball: AASU 67, USC Aiken 62

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State swept a Peach Belt Conference basketball doubleheader from visiting USC Aiken on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena. The Pirate men withstood a three-point barrage in knocking off the Pacers, 75-65, while the Lady Pirates got an outstanding game from senior Alicia Durham in their 67-62 victory over the Lady Pacers.

The Pirate men (16-4, 10-3 PBC) had to use a second-half comeback to defeat the Pacers (4-15, 2-10 PBC), who shot 58 percent from the field to build a two-point halftime lead 38-36. After halftime, AASU used an 11-4 run to take a five-point lead, 47-42. The game remained close until the three minute mark, when the Pacers suddenly grew cold from the field, missing six straight shots to allow the Pirates to come away with the 10-point win. AASU shot 52 percent from the field in the contest (25-of-48) and the Pirates were led by Bryan Taylor’s 14 points and Alex Carter’s 12 points and seven rebounds. Josh Poston led a trio of Pacers in double figures with 13 points, while Richard Blocker added 12 points. The Pacers nailed nine three-pointers in the contest and outrebounded the Pirates by one, 31-30, but AASU forced 15 turnovers by USC Aiken.

In the first game, Armstrong Atlantic (11-9, 6-7 PBC) won its third straight behind senior Alicia Durham, who had a game-high 20 points and made the game-preserving steal at the end to give the Lady Pirates the victory over the Lady Pacers (8-11, 4-8 PBC). Durham hit 7-of-15 shots from the floor and added four assists and three steals – including a key steal with just 25 seconds left and the Lady Pirates up by two points, 64-62. Durham nailed both free throws to put the Pirates up by four and USC Aiken never had a chance to tie afterwards. Audosha Kelley added 13 points – all in the second half – for the Lady Pirates, while a quartet of Lady Pacers reached double figures, led by Meredith Legg and Mindy Allee, who each had 12 points. Legg converted two free throws to extend her consecutive free throw streak to 40 for USC Aiken.

Armstrong Atlantic returns to action on Monday, February 6, as the Pirates travel to GC&SU for a Peach Belt doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. USC Aiken is also in action on Monday at Augusta State.

-Pirates-