Lady Pirates Win Season Opener, 71-58 Over Fairmont State

CONCORD, W. Va. - Armstrong Atlantic State opened up the 2008-09 regular season with a 71-58 win over Fairmont State at the Concord Mountain Lion Classic on Saturday afternoon, making new head coach Matt Schmidt a winner in his collegiate head coaching debut.

The Pirates (1-0) hit 54 percent from the floor in building a 34-27 halftime lead, then held on for the 13-point win over the Fighting Falcons (0-1).

Senior Lacey Willis hit 6-of-11 shots from the floor and made all three of her free throws in scoring a team-high 15 points, leading a quartet of Lady Pirates in double figures. Junior Dartayvia Thomas chipped in 11 points, as did junior Portia Jones. Senior Ashley Duhart collected 10 points as well for AASU.

Fairmont State was led by Gabby Gattuso's game-high 20 points, as she was the only Fighting Falcons player to eclipse double digits in scoring.

AASU wraps up action in the Mountain Lion Classic with a 3:00 p.m. matchup against host Concord. The Mountain Lions lost to Gannon on Saturday, 83-69.