FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-2-05

PBC Tournament First Round: AASU 66, Francis Marion 39

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Sophomore Bryan Taylor's career high-tying 24 points and senior Lorenzo Lawrence's 21 points led Armstrong Atlantic State past Francis Marion, 66-39, in the opening round of the 2005 Peach Belt Conference Championships at the George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday afternoon.

Taylor hit 11 of 13 shots from the floor, including his first eight straight, in leading the Pirates to their second straight win. Lawrence chipped in 21 points, on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range. The game had little of the drama of last season's matchup between the two teams in the PBC Semifinals, won by the Pirates on a last-second three-pointer, 72-69. AASU took the lead, 9-7, with 14:55 remaining on a Lawrence three-pointer and never trailed after that point.

After taking a 35-24 lead at intermission, the Pirates put together a 16-5 run to open the second half and take control of the contest. Bryan Taylor hit all seven of his first-half shots from the floor en route to 15 points, and senior Lorenzo Lawrence hit for 14 points to give the Pirates their 11-point lead at halftime. Louis McCullough had 12 points to lead the Patriots - all in the first half for the Patriots, who turned the ball over 18 times in the contest. The 39 points given up was a school record, snapping the previous low of 40 given up in a 58-40 win over UNC Pembroke on Feb. 1, 2003.

AASU faces Kennesaw State in Friday's Quarterfinal action at 3:00 p.m.

- Pirates -