FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-15-05

Women's College Basketball: Francis Marion 77, AASU 72

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Armstrong Atlantic State Lady Pirates fell to host Francis Marion, 77-72, in Peach Belt Conference action at the Smith University Center on Saturday afternoon. The loss was the eighth straight by AASU in the Smith University Center against the Lady Patriots, a streak that dates back to 1992-93.

FMU built a second-half 10-point lead, 47-37, with 15:45 left in the second half, but a 16-0 run by the Lady Pirates over the next five minutes would put the Lady Pirates up by six, 53-47, with 10:49 remaining. FMU (5-10, 1-3 PBC) stormed back with a barrage of three straight three-pointers made from Jennifer Howard to tie the game and eventually take a five-point lead, 69-64, with 3:47 left. AASU (12-6, 2-2 PBC) would cut it to three, 75-72, with 16 seconds left but could not get a tying three-pointer as Jamie Sheridan's attempt was blocked by Caroline Moore with 3.2 seconds remaining, sealing the victory for the Patriots.

Francis Marion jumped out on top of the Lady Pirates early, building a 21-12 lead, but an Audosha Kelley three-pointer tied the game back up at 29-all with 4:07 left until intermission. FMU would climb back on top and take a four-point lead at halftime, 38-34. Junior Alicia Durham led all players in the first half with 14 points, en route to a career high-tying 20 points for the Macon, Ga., native. Kelley led the Lady Pirates with 22 points on the evening, while Francis Marion was led by Moore's career-high 25 points. Creshenda Singletary and Howard each added 15 points apiece for FMU.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Wednesday, January 19, as they host Kennesaw State at 5:30 p.m. at Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -