FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12-3-03

Women's Basketball: No. 22 AASU 62, Rollins 56

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The No. 22-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women’s basketball squad used pressure defense to erase a 37-29 halftime deficit and come away with a 62-56 victory over visiting Rollins College at Alumni Arena on Wednesday evening.

The Lady Pirates (3-2) jumped out to a 9-4 lead on a three-pointer by Vandy Noldon, but the Tars (6-2) would go on a 16-6 run to take a seven-point lead, 22-15, and stretch the lead to eight at halftime. AASU suffered from poor shooting in the half, hitting just 27 percent of its shots from the floor and going eight minutes at one point without a basket.

The second half would be a different story as the Lady Pirates forced four straight turnovers and a missed three-pointer in a minute and a half stretch to erase a 41-35 Rollins lead and tie the game, 41-41, on a Briana Milam layup with 13:52 remaining. AASU took the lead for good at 44-43 on a three-pointer by Tasha Washington – three of her game-high 21 points – and held the Tars scoreless over the final 2:54 of the game to register the victory. In total, the Lady Pirates forced 26 Rollins turnovers and held the Tars to just 30 percent shooting from the floor in the second half.

Washington had a fantastic night for the Lady Pirates, recording a double-double with 10 rebounds to go with her 21 points, and also recorded six assists. Junior Ramona Wright and freshman Kaneetha Gordon each chipped in 10 points for AASU, while Rollins also placed three players in double figures, led by Nicole Warder’s 12 points. Gabrielle Blankenfeld – the oldest player in NCAA basketball at 35 – added 10 points for the Tars, as did Jennie Brown.

AASU will be next in action on Saturday, December 6, as the Lady Pirates host Presbyterian at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Arena. Rollins College is next in action on Saturday, December 6, as well as they host Flagler College at 2:00 p.m.

- Pirates -