FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2-1-03

Women's College Basketball: AASU 88, UNC Pembroke 63

Release Courtesy of UNC Pembroke Sports Information

PEMBROKE, N.C. - The University of North Carolina at Pembroke women's basketball team lost their first home game in nearly three weeks to Armstrong Atlantic State University 88-63. After a four games away from the friendly confines of the Jones Athletic Center, the return home was spoiled by the Pirates. The win improves AASU's record to 16-3 and 9-2 in the Peach Belt Conference while the loss drops UNCP to 5-12 on the year and 1-10 in conference play.

The first half saw AASU take control early with a 9-0 run to start the game. UNCP battled back however to tie it several times in the opening period. Shanetra Hodge's three pointer increased the Pirates lead to eight points at the close of the first half. In the opening twenty minutes, neither team was hot from the floor, with AASU netting only 12-43 from the field, including 3-14 behind the arc. The Lady Braves hit 8-30 in the first twenty minutes from the field including 1-7 from three-point land. At the intermission, the Pirates led the Lady Braves 36-28.

In the second period, AASU broke the game wide open. After keeping the game within striking distance the first eight minutes of the half, the Pirates constant pounding on the boards and fast-break attack kept the Lady Braves out of the game. AASU outscored UNCP 52-35 in the half. Although the Lady Braves shot 12-25 for 48 percent in the period, AASU connected on 20-33 from the floor for nearly 61 percent, including 3-6 from behind the three-point line.

Tishay Lewis paced a trio of Pirates in double figures, scoring 22 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Alicia Durham netted 13 and Zandrique Cason contributed 12 on the evening.

UNCP also had three girls in double-figures, with Ebony Orr sharing game-high honors with Lewis, making 9-16 shots from the floor and 4-4 from the charity stripe for 22 points. Lauren Thigpen added 14 for the Lady Braves and Katie Marsh posted 13 for the game.

The rebounding contest was won by AASU, grabbing 48 to UNCP's 38. The Pirates also pulled down 21 offensive rebounds to the Lady Braves 12. Turnovers played an important factor in the outcome, with UNCP committing 25 to AASU's 15.

The Lady Braves travel to Francis Marion University on Wednesday and will return home on Saturday, February 8 when they host Georgia College and State University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Jones Athletic Center.

- Pirates -