Lady Pirates Hold Off Georgia Southwestern, 78-60

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Junior Lauren Hall's 18 first-half points sparked the Armstrong Atlantic State women's basketball squad to a 78-60 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Georgia Southwestern State on Wednesday evening at Alumni Arena.

Hall's first-half performance helped the Lady Pirates (9-2, 4-0 PBC) shrug off a subpar effort on the boards, as Georgia Southwestern (5-6, 0-4 PBC) outrebounded AASU, 54-31, including a stout 36-9 edge in offensive rebounds.

The Detroit native hit 6-of-7 shots from the floor, including 4-of-5 three-pointers, off the bench to help stake AASU to a 45-26 halftime lead. A 10-0 run by Georgia Southwestern brought the Lady Hurricanes to within eight early in the second half, but Ashley Duhart and Lacey Willis sparked a 12-4 run that put the Lady Pirates back out in front by 16, 64-48, with 8:14 left. AASU would hit 8-of-9 free throws in the final minute and a half to seal the victory.

Willis finished the night with 18 points as well on 6-of-11 shots from the floor, including one three-pointer, and 5-of-9 shots from the free throw line. Duhart also finished with 18 points, her career high, on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and 7-of-13 from the free throw line.

Georgia Southwestern was led by Nadirah Gardner's 16 points and Brittany Reynolds' nine points and game-high 12 rebounds.

The Lady Pirates return to action on Saturday, January 10, with a 5:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest at Augusta State.