FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-30-04

Women's College Basketball: AASU 58, Valdosta State 47

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State women’s basketball team jumped out to a nine-point halftime lead and held off visiting Valdosta State on Tuesday evening, handing the Lady Blazers their first loss of the season with a 58-47 victory at Alumni Arena.

The Lady Pirates (5-3) forced 14 first-half turnovers from the Lady Blazers (4-1) and got nine points from junior Audosha Kelley in building a 34-25 halftime lead. VSU, who came into the game limiting opponents to just 36.8 points per game, climbed back into the contest in the second half, chipping away at the lead until Nichole Jernigan’s jumper with 2:48 remaining cut the deficit to just three, 50-47.

AASU would play stellar defense down the stretch, holding VSU 0-for-5 from the field with two turnovers in the final 2:10 to pick up the victory, just the third in 10 tries against the Lady Blazers in school history.

Kelley led all scorers with 16 points on the evening, while sophomore Ashley Mason chipped in 10 points off the bench for the Lady Pirates. Valdosta State was led by Candice Ferrell, who registered a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

AASU forced 24 turnovers in the contest and owned the advantage at the free throw line, making 16-of-22 at the charity stripe, compared to 9-of-18 for the Lady Blazers.

The Lady Pirates are next in action on Saturday, December 4 as they travel to Presbyterian for a 2:00 p.m. meeting with the Blue Hose.

- Pirates -