AASU, Wingate Pick Up Wins In Hampton Inn & Suites Holiday Classic

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armstrong Atlantic State and Wingate each collected victories in the first day of the 2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Holiday Classic on Tuesday at Alumni Arena in men's college basketball action in Savannah.

The host Pirates (5-4) registered a season-high 18 steals in picking up an 80-61 win over Voorhees (1-9) in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Wingate (7-4), meanwhile, erased a 16-point second-half deficit to pick up a 73-66 win over GCSU (6-2) in the day's first game.

Armstrong Atlantic placed four players in double figures in the win over the Tigers, led by senior Gabriel Robinson's career-high 18 points. Robinson hit 5-of-7 shots from the floor and 8-of-10 free throws, while also dishing out five assists and grabbing five steals. Senior Patrick Shokpeka notched his second double-double of the season with 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, while sophomore Chris Vanlandingham added 14 points and senior Keron McKenzie added 13 points.

Voorhees was led by Larry Bacon's 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, as well as Jeffery Evans' 18 points.

In the day's first game, GCSU used a second-half 17-1 run to take a 60-44 lead with 9:19 remaining, but Wingate rallied back to take a 67-66 lead on Quan Alexander's offensive rebound and basket with 1:54 left. The Bulldogs hit six-of-eight free throws in the final two minutes to seal the victory over GCSU, who missed its last six shots from the field.

Odell Turner led Wingate with 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots, while Alexander finished the night with 12 points. GCSU was led by Graham Martin's 18 points and Ryan Aquino's 10 rebounds.

Play concludes in the 2009 Hampton Inn & Suites Holiday Classic on Wednesday with GCSU facing Voorhees at 5:00 p.m. and AASU taking on Wingate at 7:00 p.m. The AASU-Wingate matchup is a rematch of the first game of the season, won by Wingate, 94-77, in Wingate.