No. 18 Pirates Dunk Cougars, 88-65

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 18-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team shot a decade-high 67.3 percent from the floor in picking up an 88-65 Peach Belt Conference victory over host Columbus State on Thursday evening.

The Pirates (13-2, 6-2 PBC) used a 15-3 run encompassing the final three minutes of the first half and the first two minutes of the second half to build a 45-30 lead early after intermission. Columbus State (4-10, 2-6 PBC) drew to within nine, 63-54, with 7:31 remaining, but the Pirates outscored the Cougars 25-11 the rest of the way to clinch the victory.

AASU hit 37-of-55 shots from the floor, including 11 dunks, for its best field goal percentage this decade. AASU shot 66.7 percent from the floor in a 93-88 win over Clark Atlanta back on November 24, 2000, its' previous high this millenium.

Brian Moultrie led all scorers on the night with a career-high 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the floor, while Calvin Wilson recorded 16 points and nine rebounds. Dwight Tolbert added 15 points and Keron McKenzie hit four three-pointers off the bench for 12 points.

Columbus State was led by Javarus Stewart and Owen Brow, who each collected 14 points on the evening.

AASU held the Cougars to just 36.8 percent from the field (21-of-57), including just 3-of-14 from beyond the arc (21.4 percent). The Pirates committed 27 turnovers on the night, but the Cougars were guilty of 24 turnovers.

The Pirates return to action on Saturday, January 24, with a 4:00 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest at Lander.