Lady Pirates Defeat North Georgia Behind Blistering Second Half, 80-61

DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball team blistered North Georgia by shooting 72.4 percent from the floor after intermission, turning a one-point halftime lead into an 80-61 Peach Belt Conference victory in Dahlonega on Monday evening.

The Lady Pirates (8-2, 3-0 PBC) remained unbeaten in league play in its first game in 16 days, while keeping the Lady Saints (3-7, 0-3 PBC) winless in the PBC for 2008-09.

Armstrong Atlantic led by just one, 29-28, at the break, but the Lady Pirates proceeded to hit 21-of-29 shots after intermission, including hitting 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, to pull away from North Georgia and record the 21-point win. AASU placed six players in double figures, the first time that the Lady Pirates have accomplished that feat since February 26, 2005, in a 92-83 loss at Columbus State.

Kelly Versluis hit 5-of-6 shots from the floor and all four free throw attempts for 14 points, tying for team high honors with Dartayvia Thomas. Lacey Willis scored 13 points - 11 in the second half - and moved into 10th place all-time on the AASU scoring chart, passing Alicia Durham (958). Willis now has 970 in her career.

Lindsey Holmes and Lauren Hall scored 11 points apiece, while Ashley Duhart had a fine all-around game, recording 11 points and grabbing a team-high seven rebounds with four assists.

North Georgia was led by the duo of Syretha Marble and Whitney Randolph, who each collected a game-high 20 points apiece. Marble added 10 rebounds as well for a double-double, while no other Lady Saint player scored more than six points on the night.

AASU returns to action on Wednesday, January 7, with a 5:30 p.m. home contest against Georgia Southwestern State at Alumni Arena.