SAVANNAH, GA. - Armstrong Atlantic State University placed four players in double figures led by Darly Massamba's game-high 15 points to lead the Pirates to a 65-56 victory over No. 24 Presbyterian College in the final game of the 2005 Chatham Orthopaedics Holiday Classic held in Savannah, Ga. Saturday night.
The Pirates took a 28-22 lead into intermission after opening the game on a 15-2 run. The Blue Hose struggled to shoot 25.0% from the field in the first half and were led in scoring by senior center Johann Collins (Raleigh, N.C.) and freshman guard Bryan Bostic (Norcross, Ga.) who each tallied eight points prior to halftime. PC stayed in the first half by hitting a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe.
AASU (6-2) was led in scoring in the first half by forward Alex Carter who tallied seven points on three-of-three shooting from the floor. The Pirates shot 44.0% from the field and connected on a pair of three-point field goals.
In the second half, the Pirates extended their lead to as many as 13 points on two occasions, the last coming at 44-31 with 11:27 remaining on a three-point play by Massamba. The Blue Hose responded with a 14-2 run over the next five minutes to retake the lead at 48-46 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Pat Kiscaden (Oviedo, Fla.) at the 7:29 mark. Kiscaden keyed the comeback with a trio of three-point field goals.
The game would stay close over the next few minutes until AASU retook the lead for good at 53-52 with 3:00 minutes remaining on a free throw by Massamba. The Pirates would finish the game on a 12-4 run including seven-of-eight at the charity stripe to seal the victory.
Joining Massamba for AASU scoring honors was Bryan Taylor with 14 points and seven boards while Tory Harris and Jamaal Galloway each added 10 points apiece.
The Blue Hose (10-3) were led by Collins, Bostic, and Kiscaden who each tallied 12 points apiece, while junior forward Grant Herren (Oviedo, Fla.) led all rebounders with 10 boards on the night.
PC was a perfect 16-for-16 at the charity stripe on the night, but turned the ball over 23 times and shot 37.0% form the field. The Blue Hose did shoot 50.0% from the floor in the second half.
