FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-15-03

Columbus State Knocks Off No. 25 Armstrong Atlantic Lady Pirates
Cougars Win 71-68, Ending AASU's Nine-Game Winning Streak

COLUMBUS, Ga. (January 18) - Junior Tasha Washington's tying three-point try as time expired fell off the mark as the No. 25- ranked Lady Pirates had their school record nine-game winning streak snapped at Columbus State, losing 71-68 on Saturday afternoon at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center.

The Lady Pirates (13-2, 6-1 PBC) could not continue a hot start that saw AASU hit its first five three-pointers and rush out to a 16-4 lead in the first six and a half minutes of the game. AASU looked to take a 10-point lead into halftime, but Columbus State (14-1, 6-1 PBC) got a three-point play by Sheila Baylis with 10 seconds left before intermission to carry momentum into the break.

After the break, the Pirates opened the second half on a 6-2 run, taking an 11-point lead, 42-31, with 17:56 remaining, but the Cougars would take its first lead of the game with a 17-4 run, capping the spurt with a three-pointer by Lucia Heston to give CSU a 51-48 run with 10:22 left. AASU would never get another lead in the contest, tying it two more times, finally knotting the score at 68- all on a three-pointer by Tasha Washington with 42 seconds remaining, but Courtney Favors would hit two free throws with 21 seconds left on the clock to put CSU up by two, then a free throw by Lucia Heston gave Columbus its final margin.

Erin Gibbs led all players for Columbus State with 20 points, while Candace Turner added 16 points, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Junior Tishay Lewis led the Lady Pirates with 16 points, while freshman Alicia Durham added a season-high 11 points for AASU. Columbus State took advantage of their free throw opportunities, hitting 26-of-29 shots from the charity stripe, compared to the Pirates' 9-of-11.

AASU wraps up its three-game road swing on Wednesday, January 22, at Francis Marion at 5:30 p.m.

- Pirates -