Lander Eliminates AASU From PBC Tournament, 83-63

(Release courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference)

AIKEN, S.C. - Starting its defense of their 2008 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament title in convincing fashion, the No. 5-seeded Lander University Lady Bearcats cleaned the glass to wipe out No. 4 seed Armstrong Atlantic State University today (March 5) in the Quarterfinals, 83-63.

Lander improves to 18-10 on the season and will advance to the semifinal round to face top-seeded and national No. 14 Francis Marion University Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. Armstrong Atlantic falls to 17-11.

Lander owned a 53-36 advantage in rebounding, resulting in a 27-7 edge in second-chance points.

The 83 points by the Bearcats are the most in the tournament thus far, and the most since Lander beat Francis Marion University in the semifinals 93-73 a year ago.

All-PBC Second Team selection Shannon McKever posted a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double aided by 13 points from PBC Freshman of the Year Ciara Lyons. Ten Bearcats reached the scoring column.

For the Pirates, All-PBC First Team choice Lacey Willis had 17 points and nine boards, while Ashley Duhart added 11 points.

The Lady Bearcats came out of warm-ups hot, breaking out to a quick 19-4 lead off a 15-0 run beginning at the 18:17 mark. Lander got balanced scoring in that early run, getting points from seven different players.

Lander made more than they missed in the first half, entering the lockerrooms shooting at a 52.8 percent clip (19-36). They also owned a healthy advantage in rebounding (24-16) including a 12-0 lead on second-chance points. McKever had a near double-double at halftime, carding 10 points with seven caroms. The Pirates went in the half down 44-27.

The Bearcats cooled off in the second stanza, finishing at 42.1 percent (32-76) from the floor, just two percent better than their opponents (24-60). Lander owned the offensive glass as well, 25-12.