FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-3-99

AASU Men's Basketball Picked Fourth In PBAC; Women Eighth

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team has been picked fourth in a preseason poll of Peach Belt Athletic Conference coaches, released today by the PBAC.

The Pirates received 88 points and one first-place vote in the poll. The pre-season favorite is Lander University, who received 117 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Georgia College & State and Augusta State. The Pirates are coming off of a 17-11 overall and 9-7 PBAC record from last season and were tied for second in the PBAC's South Division.

Columbus State was picked fifth, followed by Francis Marion, USC Aiken, Kennesaw State, North Florida, Clayton State, USC Spartanburg and UNC Pembroke.

The Pirates tip off this season at the Gardner-Webb Dixie Rotary Classic in Boiling Springs, N.C., on Nov. 19-20. AASU's home opener is Tuesday, November 23 against Valdosta State at 7:30 p.m.

The Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball team, meanwhile, was picked eighth in the PBAC preseason poll.

The Lady Pirates received 48 points in the poll. The pre-season favorite is Francis Marion University, who received 120 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Columbus State, Kennesaw State and Lander. The Lady Pirates are coming off of a 13-15 overall and 6-10 PBAC record from last season and were fifth in the PBAC's South Division.

Georgia College & State was picked fifth, followed by North Florida, UNC Pembroke, AASU, Clayton State, USC Spartanburg, Augusta State and USC Aiken.

The Lady Pirates tip off this season as they host the Lady Pirate/Chatham Orthopaedic Institute Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20. AASU faces Florida Memorial in their first game of the season, Friday, Nov. 19 at 8:00 p.m.