FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-2-03

Men's College Basketball: AASU 61, Paine 50

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men’s basketball team held Paine College scoreless for a six minute stretch in the second half to come away with a 61-50 victory at Alumni Arena on Tuesday evening and improve to 6-1 on the season.

The Pirates watched as Paine College (0-4) led the entire first half until two free throws by senior Daryl Williams with 32 seconds left in the first half tied the game at 31-all heading into intermission. AASU got its first lead of the game on a Justin Wood three-point play with 15:37 remaining in the game, but a Paine three-pointer by Cervantes Boddy quickly gave the Lions back the lead. After a free throw by the Lions’ Kelly Winstead gave the Lions a 4-point lead, 46-42, with 8:13 left, the Pirates’ zone defense held Paine without a point for the next five minutes, allowing AASU to score seven straight points and take only its second lead of the game, but one it wouldn’t give up. The Pirates came up with four steals and forced two missed three-pointers during the stretch to take control of the game and improve to 6-1, AASU’s best start since 1995-96 (8-1).

Senior forward Daryl Williams enjoyed another fine game for the Pirates, hitting 10-of-15 shots from the floor for his game-high 23 points. Senior Brian Bain chipped in 16 points, getting most of that at the free throw line, where he was 10-for-12. Senior Jason Sanders added 11 points as well for AASU. Paine College got an outstanding night from Nate Lewis, who hit 7-of-15 shots from the floor for 15 points – 11 in the first half, when the Lions led by as many as nine on several occasions. Maurice Campbell added 11 points for Paine.

AASU will be next in action at the R.L. Vaughn Classic in Elizabeth City, N.C., as the Pirates take on Livingstone at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5. Paine is next in action as it hosts Kentucky State in its SIAC opener at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4.

-Pirates-