FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11-22-02

AASU Rallies For 54-49 Win over Falcons

Release Courtesy of FMU Sports Information

FLORENCE, SC – Despite going more than 10 minutes without a field goal in the second half, Armstrong Atlantic State University pieced together a 6-0 run in the final five minutes to earn a 54-49 season-opening win over Pfeiffer University in the FMU/Sleep Inn Classic, Friday night (Nov. 22).

Junior guard Tasha Washington led AASU with 14 points, while Tishay Lewis tallied 11 and Zandrique Cason 10.

Senior center Amanda Joplin led Pfeiffer (0-1) with 13 points, while Shannon Reid chipped in 12.

AASU (1-0) led 33-25 at halftime and owned a 39-27 advantage with 16:47 left before a covering formed over the Pirate basket. Over the next 10:06 only two Pirate free throws managed to swish the twine as Pfeiffer put together a 20-2 run to take a 47-41 lead. The Pirates missed 16 consecutive field goal attempts during that period.

When Joplin scored on a layup with 5:35 remaining, AASU trailed 49-45. However, the Pirates held the Falcons scoreless for the rest of the contest. In fact, Pfeiffer managed only three more field goal attempts, while committing seven turnovers.

Lewis put AASU back on top at 50-49 with two free throws, and 1:11 later converted a layup to give AASU a 52-49 lead. Two free throws in the final 14 seconds accounted for the final margin.

The classic concludes on Saturday with AASU facing Anderson College at 2 p.m.

- Pirates -