Pirates Handle Yellow Jackets, 79-63

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball squad opened the second half on a 14-3 run, expanding a 10-point halftime lead to come away with a 79-63 victory over visiting Allen University on Tuesday evening at Alumni Arena.

The Pirates (3-3) took a 47-24 lead after the run, then withstood a full-court press by Allen (4-10) by committing just one turnover in the next 13 minutes. Armstrong Atlantic shot 53.3 percent from the field in the second half in the victory.

Sophomore Chris Vanlandingham notched a game-high 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-5 three-pointers, while senior Patrick Shokpeka added 18 points and eight rebounds. Senior Keron McKenzie added 16 points and senior Gabriel Robinson dished out six assists, had two blocked shots and also collected a career-high 11 rebounds.

Allen University was led by Byron Littlejohn's 14 points, Demetrice Terrell's 12 points and Jeremy Crawford's 10 points. The Yellow Jackets shot 34.5 percent from the field for the game, compared to 44.3 percent for the Pirates, and AASU won the rebounding battle, 44-37.

The Pirates return to action on Friday, December 18, as AASU hosts the 2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Fall Finals Classic. AASU will play the final game of the day against Mount Olive at 8:00 p.m.