Armstrong Atlantic State Advances to Championship Game

AIKEN, S.C.-- The Armstrong Atlantic State University women’s basketball team picked up its third win of the 2008 Marvin Vanover Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament, beating Columbus State University 78-68 today (March 8). The Lady Pirates stretched a one-point halftime lead into 10 by shooting an amazing 65 percent (15-23) in the second half.

The entire AASU starting lineup reached double-figure scoring, led by Lacey Willis with 16 points. All-PBC selection Kaneetha Gordon had her third double-double of the tournament with 10 points and 12 boards, while Lindsey Holmes hit four threes and had 15 points, Alandris Griffin added 14 points and Jasmine Herron 12.

Holmes’ four three-pointers gives her 88 on the season, setting a school record.

The Lady Pirates’ strong second-half shooting combined with hitting 16 second-half free throws helped them combat the team’s 19 turnovers.

Armstrong Atlantic’s Dartayvia Thomas hit a leaner in the lane as the halftime horn sounded to give her team a 27-26 advantage. The Lady Pirates would never surrender that lead in the second half, with the score not getting into a double-digit difference until the final free-throw made by Thomas with 30 seconds left.

CSU guard and All-PBC pick Maria Grimes led all scorers with 17 points, aided by 16 from Turelle Jones, and a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double from forward Monica Sicka. Frontcourt mate Hali Moore also added 11 points and seven boards.

The Lady Cougars tried to make a comeback with the long-range shot, but hit just 6-of-25 (24 percent) on the game.

The No. 7-seed Lady Pirates improve to 20-10 on the season, advancing to play the winner of today’s Lander University/Francis Marion University contest in the championship game tomorrow at 2 p.m. No. 6-seed CSU falls to 17-12 on the year. The last time the Pirates made the PBC Finals was in the 2003 season, picking up the tournament trophy. AASU is 1-1 all-time in conference championship games.

Boxscore

Game 13 – Armstrong Atlantic State vs. Columbus State – Quotes

Armstrong Atlantic head coach Roger Hodge:

“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with the character and determination that they have shown. It’s been incredible, and our season kind of turned on a really bad loss at Columbus State. From that point on, they have bought in, they have worked and have committed. Today, they were so much fun to watch because we had a great effort, and I’m tickled to death for our kids.”

“Jasmine getting in foul trouble early threw us off our rhythm. The game was very physical with two teams with great athletes and very strong players, and that really disrupted the flow.”

Senior guard Jasmine Herron:

“They were trapping on the wings, and I knew if we kept reversing it, we’d find someone open. Ball movement is the key.”

Columbus State head coach Jay Sparks:

“By far the best team won, maybe the best team in our conference at this second. Two tell tale things that they did in the second half – they got to the free throw line 25 times and they shot 65 percent from the field. Good teams do that, and that kept us at bay in the second half.”

“I give credit to Armstrong because every time we did something wild hair, they made us pay for it.”