FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-31-04

Men's Basketball: AASU 86, UNC Pembroke 75

Release Courtesy of UNC Pembroke Sports Information

PEMBROKE, N.C. – Armstrong Atlantic used a three-point barrage to bury UNCP in the opening half, streaking out to a 21-7 and held off a furious second period rally by the Braves to win 86-75 in the Jones Athletic Center Saturday evening. With the Pirates victory, AASU improves to 14-5 overall and 5-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Braves fall to 2-15 on the season and 1-6 in conference action.

Eight Pirates entered the scoring column in the opening half in route to a 51-27 lead at intermission. Brian Bain tallied ten in the frame while Justin Wood, Jason Sanders, and Nick Bloemhof all netted nine. AASU knocked down 11 three-pointers on 19 attempts in the period and shot 58 percent from the floor.

Damien Goodman knocked down six shots in the first half for UNCP, scoring 15 to lead all players. The Braves canned 41 percent of their shots.

The second half saw UNCP climb back to within nine, 62-53, with ten minutes to play, but the Braves could get no closer as AASU pulled out the victory. UNCP was within nine at the one minute mark, 84-73, as well.

Bain led the victors with 19, while Sanders chipped in 16. Wood and Tim Black accounted for 13 and 12, respectively in the win.

Goodman scored a game-high 24 points and was one of three Braves to reach double figures. Travis Wallace tallied 22 points and ten rebounds while Frank Foster had 11.

Both teams shot the ball extremely well, with AASU canning 54 percent of their shots and UNCP knocking down 48 percent.

-Pirates-