Flagler Upends AASU, 97-82, On Saturday

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Flagler College put a damper on Armstrong Atlantic State's new year with a 97-82 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory on Saturday afternoon in St. Augustine, Fla.

The Saints (1-0, 5-4 PBC) notched the win in the first meeting between the two new Peach Belt rivals since Dec. 10, 1988. Armstrong Atlantic (0-2, 5-6 PBC) has now dropped two in a row.

Host Flagler started off the game hot and shot 59 percent to take an 18-point lead into halftime, 47-29, as the Pirates shot just 29 percent from the floor and made just 1-of-9 three-pointers.

The Pirates cut the lead to nine in the second half on a Chris Vanlandingham basket with 11:55 remaining, bringing the score to 61-52, but Flagler answered with a 9-2 run, building a 70-54 lead with 9:27 remaining and holding on for their first Peach Belt Conference victory.

AASU placed five players in double figures, led by senior Patrick Shokpeka's 2 points. Freshman David Pruett scored a career-high 16 points, while Vanlandingham, seinior Gabriel Robinson and senior Keron Mckenzie each chipped in 11 points.

Flagler was led by Chad July's game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds; 20 points from John Pietkiewicz and 15 points from Eddie Fowler. As a team, the Saints shot 55 percent from the floor (31-of-56), compared to the Pirates' 40 percent (29-of-73).

AASU returns to action on Saturday, January 9, hosting a Peach Belt Conference contest against USC Aiken at 3:30 p.m.