FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-18-00

AASU's Cason Named PBC Women's Basketball Player of the Week For Second Time

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Sophomore center Zandrique Cason, who set a school and conference rebounding record last Friday against Lenoir-Rhyne, was named the Peach Belt Conference's Women's Basketball Player of the Week for December 18 by conference officials.

Cason collected 20 rebounds in AASU's 69-56 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne on Friday, including 18 defensive rebounds. The 18 defensive boards set a school and PBC record, previously held by the Pirates' Renee Rice in 1991-92. Cason also scored 23 points in AASU's 78-64 win over Savannah State on Wednesday and, for the week, averaged 18 points and 12.5 rebounds.

The Tempe, Ariz., native is the first AASU women's basketball player to earn Peach Belt Player of the Week honors twice in one season since the 1994-95 campaign in which Nicole Smith was named POTW two of the first three weeks of the season. Cason has recorded eight double-doubles in the Lady Pirates' nine games this season and ranks 35^th in the nation in scoring and fourth in rebounding in the first NCAA Division II statistical report of the 2000-2001 season.

The Lady Pirates' next action is on Saturday, December 30 as they host Gardner-Webb at Noon in Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -