FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-30-06

2006 SpringHill Suites Midtown New Year Classic: Day Two Wrapup

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Armstrong Atlantic State and GCSU finished the 2006 SpringHill Suites Midtown New Year Classic undefeated as both Peach Belt schools picked up wins in Saturday’s hectic day of action in Savannah, closing out the Classic.

A malfunctioning hydraulic system on one of the goals delayed play in the first game between GCSU and Southern Arkansas and eventually pushed the game to the Aquatics & Recreation Center – the old home of the AASU men’s basketball team that had not seen a men’s college contest competed in it since 1994-95. The Bobcats parlayed their size advantage into a 50-40 win over Southern Arkansas despite shooting just 26.8 percent from the floor – GCSU (10-1) outrebounded the Muleriders, 50-31, and connected on 14-of-24 free throws. Aaron Clark led the Bobcats with 14 points, while Levert Carter grabbed a game-high 19 rebounds to go with his eight points. Southern Arkansas (5-7) was led by Rolando Little’s 12 points.

After a quick repair of the goal, the final game of the Classic moved back into Alumni Arena, where the host Pirates (9-2) shot 53.1 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three-point range in downing Ferris State (3-9) by a 76-68 score. With the score tied at 52-all and 11:36 left in the game, AASU went on a 9-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to pull away for the victory. Senior Bryan Taylor notched a game-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds, while Tory Harris added 14 points and Kevin Parker chipped in 12 off the bench. Ferris State was led by Julius Vines’ 17 points and Terrance Shaw’s 16 points.

Armstrong Atlantic begins Peach Belt play by hosting GCSU on Wednesday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m. at Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -