FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-15-03

Men's College Basketball: AASU 75, Presbyterian 63

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Seniors Daryl Williams and Brian Bain keyed a 17-4 run midway through the second half to give the host Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates a 75-63 season-opening men’s college basketball victory over Presbyterian College at Alumni Arena on Saturday night.

The two seniors combined to score 41 points on the evening and help the Pirates (1-0) snap a three-game slide in season openers. Bain hit 9-of-13 shots from the floor for his game-high 23 points, while Williams went 8-of-13 from the floor for his 18 points as AASU shot a blistering 60.8 (31-of-51) percent from the floor in the game – its best shooting output since hitting 63.2 percent in a 93-69 win at North Florida on February 13, 2002.

It looked like the Pirates wouldn’t need second-half heroics, however, as they started the game on a 29-8 run and cruised to a 35-19 first-half lead. Presbyterian (0-1), however, opened the second half on a 12-2 run and eventually cut the lead to just two points, 53-51, with 8:55 remaining. A basket by Williams and five straight points by Bain brought the Pirate lead back to seven and AASU never looked back.

AASU also got a fine night off the bench from senior newcomer Tim Black. The Arkansas Tech transfer was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field for 17 points before fouling out with two minutes remaining.

Sophomore Michael Drum, the South Atlantic Conference’s Freshman of the Year in 2002-03, led the Blue Hose with 16 points – 14 in the second half. Tray Ballenger added 15 points for Presbyterian, who owned the advantage at the free throw line in the contest by hitting 24-of-29 free throws (82.8%), as opposed to the Pirates, who hit just 12-of-21 free throws (57.1%).

AASU will be next in action on Monday, November 17, as the Pirates travel to Paine College for a 7:00 p.m. game at Paine College. Presbyterian is next in action at Francis Marion on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m.

-Pirates-