2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Fall Finals Classic: Day Two Wrapup

SAVANNAH, Ga. - St. Augustine's and Columbus State finished the 2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Fall Finals Classic with undefeated 2-0 records after Saturday's final day of action, while the host AASU Pirates picked up a key region win in the finale at Alumni Arena.

The Falcons ran their winning streak to eight with a 69-66 win over Mount Olive in men's action, with the host Pirates also picking up a 69-66 win over region foe Lenoir-Rhyne. In the women's contests, Columbus State set an Alumni Arena record for margin of victory in a 95-32 win over Edward Waters, while the No. 12-ranked University of Tampa rebounded from its first loss of the season to notch an 80-72 win over host AASU.

The finale to the Classic on Saturday was a thriller as the host Pirates (4-4) opened up a 19-point lead in the second half on a Keron McKenzie three-pointer that made the score 52-33 with 17:57 remaining. Lenoir-Rhyne (2-7) fought back, however, holding AASU scoreless for a six minute stretch. A Kameko Walls offensive rebound and layup with eight seconds left brought the Bears to within one, but McKenzie hit two free throws with six seconds left and Ryan Crawford's game-tying three as time expired was long, giving the Pirates the victory.

McKenzie and Chris Vanlandingham each collected 19 points to lead AASU on the evening, while D.J. Blackmon led all scorers with 24 points to go with 13 rebounds for Lenoir-Rhyne.

On the women's side, Tampa's Gianna Messina rebounded from an off game on Friday night to pump in a game-high 28 points on 7-of-12 shooting and 11-of-12 from the free throw line to lead the Spartans to the eight-point victory over host AASU. Taja Green added 21 points as well for Tampa, while sophomore Brooke Long led a quartet of Lady Pirates with 21 points. Senior Portia Jones added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds and Lauren Hall chipped in 15 points.

St. Augustine's guard Brandon Hickson hit three free throws in the final 33 seconds to give the Falcons their eighth straight win with the three-point victory over Mount Olive in the first men's game of Saturday. The Falcons (8-1) placed four players in double figures, led by Jeremy Banks' 13 points off the bench on a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor, including 2-of-2 three-pointers. Steven Brignol added 12 points and Chris Jordan chipped in 11. Mount Olive (5-3) was led by Kendrick Easley's game-high 21 points and Lamonte' Theus' 13 points.

In the day's first game, Columbus State's women opened up the contest on a 22-0 run over the first 6:37 to cruise to the Alumni Arena-record 63-point win over Edward Waters. The victory margin was the most for a women's basketball game in the building since Francis Marion recorded a 49-point win over Clayton State, 92-43, on Feb. 24, 1998, in the PBC Tournament. Kelsie Weynand led a quartet of Cougars (6-3) in double figures with 16 points, while Turelle Jones added 14 points. Nakita Holt barely missed a triple-double with nine points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 20 minutes of action. Edward Waters (4-8) was led by Tieura Quick and Ebony Presha, who each collected seven points apiece.

AASU returns to action on Tuesday, December 29th, hosting the 2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Holiday Classic. The Pirates take on Voorhees at 7:00 p.m.