FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-20-07

College Basketball: No. 21 AASU 55, Lander 54

GREENWOOD, S.C. – Emmanuel Hodrea's follow-up shot off of teammate Michael Griffin's missed layup could not beat the final buzzer, allowing No. 21 Armstrong Atlantic to escape with a 55-54 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory on Saturday evening in Greenwood, S.C.

The Pirates (13-4, 4-2 PBC) had a seemingly comfortable seven-point lead with a minute and a half remaining, but the Bearcats (9-7, 4-2 PBC) chipped away at the lead in the closing moments thanks to AASU miscues. A foul put Griffin on the line with 1:26 left, resulting in two made free throws, then two turnovers and two missed front end of one-and-one free throw opportunities gave Lander six shots in the final minute. Jarred Jackson and Curtis Milner each hit shots to cut the lead to one, and after William Kane missed the front end of his one-and-one with nine seconds left, the Bearcats had their final crack at winning the game.

Lander led by as many as 10 in the first half, and took a six-point 32-26 lead into halftime. The Pirates opened the second half on a 22-7 run, almost single-handedly sparked by senior Tory Harris, who scored 10 of his game-high 24 points in the first seven minutes of the second half. AASU also got 13 points and nine rebounds from Bryan Taylor, but the rest of the Pirates' players combined for just 18 points total. The Bearcats were led by the duo of Griffin and Jarred Jackson, who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, January 24, as the Pirates host No. 2-ranked Clayton State at 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -