Pirates Reach Century Mark In Spring Hill Suites New Year's Classic Finale

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team rang in the new year with a bang on Tuesday, collecting a 101-56 win over Wingate in the final game of the 2008 AASU/Spring Hill Suites Midtown New Year's Classic at Alumni Arena.

The Pirates finished the Classic with a 2-0 record, as did fellow Peach Belt school GCSU, who picked up a 69-54 win over West Virginia Wesleyan earlier in the day.

AASU (8-1) reached the century mark for the second time this season, and the first time at home since November 22, 2003, when the Pirates defeated Clark Atlanta, 112-65. It's also the first time that AASU has had two games of 100+ points in one season since 1991-92.

Dwight Tolbert led the charge as he hit six first-half three-pointers in helping the Pirates build a 53-26 lead at halftime. AASU then scored the first 14 points of the second half to put the game out of reach. Tolbert finished the day 8-of-13 from the floor, including 7-of-11 three-pointers, en route to a game high 24 points. His seven three-pointers are the most for an AASU player since Jamaal Galloway hit seven threes against Columbus State on January 28, 2006.

Calvin Wilson added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Brian Moultrie notched 14 points and T.T. Hall chipped in 10 points.

Wingate (5-7) dropped its fourth straight as they committed 22 turnovers on the day and watched the Pirates dominate inside, with AASU holding a 59-28 edge on points in the paint. Jamie Vaughn led the Bulldogs on the day with 13 points, while Tommy Coles came off the bench to chip in 11 points.

In the first game of the day, Shaun Keaton became the 12th member of the 1,000 point club at GCSU with his game-high 18 points in leading the Bobcats to a 69-54 win over West Virginia Wesleyan (1-8).

Keaton hit 7-of-19 shots from the floor, including three three-pointers, en route to his 18 points, giving the senior 1,008 points for his career. Ty Rowland and Justin Brown each chipped in 11 points as well for GCSU (6-1), while West Virginia Wesleyan was led by Neven Zeravica's double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, as well as Ryan Hoehner's 11 points.

The Pirates return to action on Monday, January 5, with a 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest at North Georgia in Dahlonega.