FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-22-03

Women's Basketball: Francis Marion 62, AASU 61 OT

FLORENCE, S.C. (January 22) - Jontell Johnson's baseline jumper with 10 seconds remaining in overtime lifted Francis Marion to an improbable upset of Armstrong Atlantic State, 62-61, on Wednesday evening at the Smith University Center.

The Patriots (7-9, 2-6 PBC) found themselves trailing 21-4 in the first eight minutes of the contest, but the Pirates (13-3, 6-2 PBC) could not keep up the hot shooting as Francis Marion cut the deficit to five just before halftime.

Francis Marion would take the lead in the second half on a Marta Losonczy three-pointer with 8:36 remaining, but AASU would come back, eventually taking a three-point lead on a Tasha Washington trey, 54-51, with 2:36 remaining. FMU would hold the Pirates scoreless the rest of the way, tying the game at 54-all and sending it into overtimeon a Johnson layup with 31 seconds left.

Junior Tishay Lewis led all players with 27 points and 15 rebounds - her first double-double as a member of the Lady Pirates - but her game-winning three-point attempt fell off the mark with four seconds left in overtime. Tasha Washington added 11 points for AASU, while Francis Marion was led by Johnson's 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Patriots placed four players in double figures.

AASU returns home for a 5:30 p.m. matchup with USC Spartanburg on Saturday, January 25 at Alumni Arena.

- Pirates -