FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-14-02

Presbyterian Keeps AASU Winless, 53-47

CLINTON, S.C. - Presbyterian College used a 13-3 second-half run to erase a 40-35 lead by Armstrong Atlantic State and come away with a 53-47 men's college basketball victory on Saturday night in Clinton, S.C., keeping the Pirates winless in 2002-03.

The Pirates (0-5) and the Blue Hose (10-2) played an even first half, as both teams shot nearly 50 percent from the field and went into intermission tied at 25-all.

Presbyterian took a two-point lead, 33-31, on a Chuck Rayford three-pointer early in the second half, but the Pirates went on a 9-2 run to take their largest lead of the second half, 40-35, on Daryl
Williams' two free throws with 7:30 remaining in the game. Presbyterian climbed back into the game by holding the Pirates without a field goal for a strech of five and a half minutes, then the
Blue Hose the lead for good, 42-41, on a Rayford free throw with 4:17 remaining. Presbyterian then made six-of-seven free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Senior Dave Pisarcik and junior Daryl Williams each scored 12 points to lead the Pirates. Mike Drum led all scorers for Presbyterian with 15 points and Chuck Rayford, who became the fifth-leading scorer in South Atlantic Conference history on the evening for the Blue Hose, chipped in 12 points.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, December 18 as the Pirates host Fort Valley State at 7:30 p.m.

- Pirates -