FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3-1-03

No. 18 Lady Pirates Clinch PBC Title With 76-64 Win Over KSU

KENNESAW, Ga. (March 1) - The No. 18-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball team clinched at least a share of its first-ever Peach Belt Conference championship on Saturday afternoon as the Lady Pirates downed Kennesaw State, 76-64, at the Spec Landrum Centre in Kennesaw, Ga.

Junior Tishay Lewis collected all 16 of her points in the first half as the Lady Pirates (24-3, 17-2 PBC) scored the first 14 points of the game and never looked back in winning their 11th straight. AASU led at halftime, 49-32, and cruised to the victory by holding the Lady Owls (15-12, 9-10 PBC) to just 36 percent shooting from the floor and just 4-of-14 three-pointers. Senior Zandrique Cason led the Lady Pirates with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Senior Shanetra Hodge added 12 points off the bench as she hit all four of her three-point attempts.

Kennesaw State was led by Denisha Ferguson, who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

The win clinches a share of the title for the Lady Pirates. If Columbus State loses tonight at Lander, then AASU will win the title outright. Otherwise, AASU will share the title with Columbus State. Regardless, the Lady Pirates have earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference tournament and will play on Thursday, March 6, against the winner of a Lander/Kennesaw State first-round matchup at 1:00 p.m.

- Pirates -