By Leeroy Francis Jr. |Sports editorUNC Pembroke gained a major leg up on the competition at the top of the Peach Belt Conference when the Braves defeated the Augusta University men's basketball team Wednesday night, Jan. 16, by a 93-88 score for the Jags' first loss of the season at Christenberry Fieldhouse.Earlier, in the women's game, the Jaguars defeated Pembroke 64-59 to snap a nine-game losing streak and for their second win in 13 outings this season.The first half of the men's tilt was a back-and-forth battle between the best two defenses in the conference. The Jaguars (5-2 and began the scoring making the first two baskets of the game and led slightly for the majority of the first half. Freshman guard Miguel Arnold had 14 first-half points hitting four three-pointers in the in the first half as the Jaguars and Braves exchanged the lead seven times in the opening half, but the Jaguars led at halftime 45-43.Augusta senior Deane Williams reached 1,000 career points with a free throw at the 12:45 mark in the second half. Williams became the 31st Jaguar to score 1,000 points and the 11th under Coach Dip Metress.The visiting Braves (6-1, 11-2) shot the ball well in the first half at 66.7 percent from the field, but the Jags (5-2, 9-4) countered the Braves' hot shooting with accurate three-point shot shooting, draining five in the first half.In the second half, Augusta used an early 10-4 run to edge ahead of the Braves, but the Pembroke fought back to tie the game at 64 with 11 minutes left.The game was another tightly contested game late at home for the Jags. With UNCP up 88-83 with 1:20 left to play freshman, Myers hit a contested layup to bring the Braves' lead to three, and then the freshman hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to 89-88.On the ensuing possession, the Braves drove the length of the floor for a game-sealing dunk.Myers scored his career-high 21 points on 9-for-9 shooting from the floor, while Jags freshman Miguel Arnold hit four first-half threes and ended the night with 18 points, going 6 for 10 from behind the three-point line. Senior Tyvez Monroe had 13 points, and junior Rafael Monteiro added 10 points for AU.Augusta stays home for another conference matchup against North Georgia on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 3:30 p.m. The Jags will his Young Harris at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21.Heading into the final 10 minutes of the women's contest, the Jaguars held a five-point advantage over UNCP but with only 3:00 minutes left in the game the Augusta lead was only four. UNCP and Augusta traded shot attempts as the visiting Braves outscored them 6-2 down the stretch to tie the game at 53 with 31 seconds left in the contest. And after a Cameryn Wilson 3-pt miss with 11 seconds left the Jaguars forced and turnover to end regulation and send the game into overtime.In overtime, the Jaguars quickly jumped to a six-point lead after two threes by Asia Harrison and Kaela Patrick eventually outscoring UNCP 10-2 to get their second win of the season.Jaguars senior Brianna Middleton posted her fifth double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while senior Kaela Patrick delivered 17 points, four assists, and three boards and freshman Kiera Howard added nine points with four rebounds.The Jags' bench also shined as they scored 28 to the Braves' seven.Coach Millette Green was proud of her team and she hopes it is just a start."We will continue to work hard, play together, play smarter and get better," said Green, the second-year coach.The victory over UNCP is the first for the Jaguars since Nov. 17 when they beat Paine College on the road.Augusta's women is back at home this on Jan. 19 to host North Georgia for a 1:30 p.m. and also will host Young Harris on 2019 MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 21 at 1:30 p.m.The Jaguars also meet crosstown rival USC Aiken for the first time this season on Wednesday, Jan. 30 for a PBC rivalry showdown in Augusta at 7:30 p.m. That night, NCAA Division I men's golf champion Broc Everett will be honored.
Contact Leeroy Francis at lfrancis@augusta.edu