FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 1-8-03

Women's College Basketball: AASU 85, Spelman 41

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Senior center Zandrique Cason became the seventh player in Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball history to score 1,000 career points as the Lady Pirates defeated Spelman, 85-41, on Wednesday evening at Alumni Arena.

Cason scored her 1,000^th point with her first free throw with 1:33 remaining in the first half, giving the Tempe, Ariz., native 1,000 points in just her 66^th career game at Armstrong Atlantic State. Cason finished the evening with nine points and six rebounds as the Lady Pirates (10-1) improved upon their best-ever start to a season. Senior Shaletra Hodge led all scorers with 13 points off the bench, while senior Anita Griffin added a season-high 12 points and junior Tishay Lewis added 10 points and seven rebounds. Spelman (0-11) was led by Adrianna Nebedum, who scored 12 points, and Fatima Gaskin, who chipped in 10 points.

The Lady Pirates forced 30 turnovers by Spelman and shot 49.3 percent on the evening in winning their sixth straight game and eighth straight at home. Dating back to last season, the Lady Pirates have won 14 of their last 16 games.

AASU will take the court next on Saturday, January 11 as the Lady Pirates travel to Spartanburg, S.C., for a 5:30 p.m. matchup with the Lady Rifles.

- Pirates -