FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11-29-02

Rausch's Layup Spoils Burkhamer's Debut
Queens College Knocks Off AASU 75-74

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Freshman Guillermo Rausch's driving layup with 15 seconds remaining gave Queens College a 75-74 come-from-behind men's basketball victory over upset-minded Armstrong Atlantic State on Friday evening in the Eckerd College Classic, spoiling new head coach Jeff Burkhamer's debut.

The Pirates (0-1) took a slim one-point lead, 74-73, on junior Brian Bain's free throw with 33 seconds remaining, but Rausch drove down the lane and converted a layup - his only field goal of the game - to give the Royals (2-0) the 75-74 lead. AASU had two tries to win in the last fifteen seconds, but junior Daryl Williams had one layup try blocked and another last-second shot hit off the rim as time expired.

Queens took a 39-34 advantage into halftime behind guard Spencer Ross' 13 first-half points. Ross - who scored a game-high 24 points before fouling out with 4:45 minutes remaining in the game - and guard Chris Benson were the only Royals players in double figures as Benson chipped in 11 on 3-of-10 three-point shooting.

AASU went on a 14-4 run midway through the second half to take its largest lead of the game, 63-55, with 8:41 remaining. Queens cut the lead to one, 67-66, then finally tied up the game at 71-all with 2:25 remaining on Chris Benson's jump shot. A Brian Bain layup gave the Pirates a two-point lead, 73-71, with one minute left, but Andrade hit a running one-hander in the lane to tie it at 73-all and set up the last-minute action.

The Pirates were led by senior Dave Pisarcik's 17 points and junior Brian Bain's 15 points and senior Ian Jones' career-high 15 points. Williams added nine points and 11 rebounds. Burkhamer was trying to become fourth head coach in AASU basketball history to win his debut game and the Pirates dropped to 1-6 in their last seven season opening games.

AASU will take on host Eckerd College at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evening in the finale of the Eckerd College Classic.

- Pirates -