FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-21-03

Fayetteville State, Charleston Win On First Day Of 2003 AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics Tip-Off Classic

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Fayetteville State and Charleston’s women’s basketball teams picked up victories on day one of the 2003 AASU/Chatham Orthopedics Tip-Off Classic on Friday evening. Fayetteville State overcame a six-point halftime deficit to defeat UNC Pembroke, 71-62, while Charleston snapped the No. 11-ranked AASU Lady Pirates’ 15-game home winning streak with a 77-62 victory.

The Golden Eagles (2-0) spoiled the season opener for the defending Peach Belt Champion Lady Pirates (0-1) by holding host AASU to just 26.8 percent shooting from the field. Charleston led by three at halftime, 36-33, and used a 13-4 run late to pull away from AASU. True freshman Courtney Thomas led all scorers for the Golden Eagles with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the floor, including hitting all three of her three-point shots, while Lisa Lee (18 points, 13 rebounds) and Sarah Batchelder (12 points, 10 rebounds) added double-doubles.

The Lady Pirates were led by Tasha Washington’s 11 points, although the All-PBC guard suffered an off-night from the floor, hitting just 3-of-24 shots from the floor. Senior Marloes Renskers added 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench for AASU, who shot its lowest percentage since hitting just 20.3 percent in a 64-43 loss to Shaw on Dec. 17, 2002.

In the first game of the day, Fayetteville State scored 49 points in the second half and forced 31 turnovers by UNC Pembroke in the nine-point victory. The Lady Broncos (1-0) placed four players in double figures, led by Joreka Bess’ 15 points and Monica Mason’s 13 points. Nicole Patterson added a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds as well for Fayetteville State.

UNC Pembroke (0-1) got a game-high 16 points from Larenda Canady and a double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds) from junior transfer Danielle Richardson. UNCP suffered through an awful night from three-point range, hitting just 1-of-16 treys.

The Classic wraps up on Saturday with Charleston taking on UNC Pembroke at 2:00 p.m. and the host Lady Pirates facing Fayetteville State at 4:00 p.m.

- Pirates -