FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-26-04

Men's College Basketball: AASU 58, Nova Southeastern 49

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team took advantage of its free throw opportunities in outlasting Nova Southeastern, 58-49, in the first day of competition at the 2004 Neader Group Classic hosted by Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Pirates (3-1) hit 15-of-16 foul shots in the first half in building a 10-point halftime lead, 28-18, then held off a furious second-half rally by the Knights (0-2) in coming away with the victory.

AASU led by as many as 17 in the second half, but two free throws by Nova Southeastern's Garth Campbell cut the lead to seven, 52-45, with 1:23 remaining. That's when AASU senior Lorenzo Lawrence buried a three at the top of the key to put the Pirates back up by double figures and close out the win.

Sophomore Bryan Taylor registered his third double-double in four games this season, collecting 17 points and grabbing a career-high 14 rebounds. Lawrence pumped in a game-high 18 points, going just 3-of-10 from the floor but hitting 11-of-14 from the free-throw line. Calvin Jenkins and Kluis Wimbush led the Knights with 10 points apiece. For the game, AASU hit 27 of 34 free throws, the most in a game since the Pirates hit 29 in a 62-58 win at Clayton State on Feb. 15, 2003.

The Pirates conclude action in the 2004 Neader Group Classic at 7:30 on Saturday evening against host Eckerd College.

- Pirates -