By Caleb Miller |
Contributor
The Augusta Jags secured their 12th Peach Belt Conference victory on Saturday, Feb. 9, with an 87-68 win over Columbus State.
In the women's game on Feb. 9, AU claimed a 75-63 win over Columbus State. Kaela Patrick led the way with 16 points for Augusta (3-11, 4-16). Columbus State (7-8, 10-9) was led by Leeaysia Williamson with 29 points.
In the nightcap, junior Rafael Monteiro led the way with 16 points. Shooting 62.2 percent from the field, Monteiro has 309 total points for the year for a team-leading 14.7 average. Monteiro also secured four rebounds and two assists in the victory.
Sophomore Troy Cracknell followed Monteiro with 13 points and three rebounds, and senior Tyvez Monroe was close behind with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists. Senior Deane Williams, the PBC’s second highest rebounder this season, locked in six rebounds, two blocks and 12 points. Freshman Darren Lucas-White had six assists and fellow freshman Tyree Myers made all three of his floor shots and both free throws for a nine-point outing. All 12 Jaguars played in the game.
After Columbus State’ built an early lead and stayed ahead of the Jags (12-3, 16-5) for the first five minutes, Augusta rebounded and maintained the lead for the remainder of the game. The Jags led 44-27 at the half.
The lead started with a three-pointer by Troy Cracknell. The largest lead Augusta's lead was 25 points.
Augusta’s defense kept Columbus State (6-10-10-11) on their toes, forcing 12 turnovers and a 43.5 field goal percentage in the first half. Columbus State’s defense, on the other hand, couldn’t quite keep up, allowing Augusta to score almost twice their own points in the first half.
Columbus State didn’t go down without a fight. They scored 41 to Augusta’s 43 points in the second half, but their efforts couldn’t make up for the deficit created in the first half.
Augusta outplayed Columbus in more than just scoring. Augusta had 36 rebounds to Columbus State’s 25 and 16 assists to Columbus State’s 10.
Columbus State’s poor ballhandling ended up costing them the game. Augusta locked down 31 of their 87 points off Columbus State’s 17 turnovers.
Augusta is now tied for third place in the PBC with UNC Pembroke and Francis Marion, with all three at 12-3.
As the Jags celebrate their victory, they prepare for a three road game run, starting with a big game at UNC Pembroke (17-4 overall) today (Feb. 13) at 7:30 p.m. UNC Pembroke, AU and Francis Marion all are one and a half games behind league-leader USC Aiken. Pembroke is coming off a an 85-62 win over Georgia College.
After that, the Jags will play Georgia College on Saturday in Milledgeville.
Contact Caleb Miller at CALMILLER@augusta.edu.