By Leeroy Francis Jr. |
Sports editor
The Augusta University men's basketball team defeated the No. 21 UNC Pembroke Braves 72-69 on the road Wednesday night, Feb. 13, in a Peach Belt Conference matchup.
AU was led by senior Deane Williams, who captured his seventh double-double on the season. Williams made 9-of-11 floor shots, including two three-pointers in as many attempts, and had a team-best 24 points and 10 rebounds at Pembroke's English E. Jones Center.
Augusta trailed 32-34 at halftime, but AU separated from the Braves in the second half, outscoring the Braves 40-35. This included key free-throw attempts by freshman Miguel Arnold and junior Rafael Montiero in the last minute to eventually leave Pembroke, N.C., with the big league road victory.
The formula in the run of success since Jan. 1 has been outstanding defense, good shot selection and running the floor when available. Senior leadership from Williams, Tyvez Monroe and Aaron Byrd has also been crucial, as has the overall stellar play by Monteiro and the trio of freshman guards in Arnold, Tyree Myers and Darren Lucas-White.
Augusta (13-3 in the PBC, 17-5 overall) is the winner of its last four and is 11-2 since the new year. The Jaguars are now in a tie for second place in the Peach Belt standings with Francis Marion. The Jaguars own the tiebreaker due to the 81-76 victory Jan. 23 in Florence, S.C. The Jags are now only sitting behind No. 7 USC Aiken (15-2) in the conference standings.
AU is now in the homestretch for the regular season. The important matchups for the Jaguars as they play for a top-four seed for the PBC Tournament, which will be held March 6-10, are as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 16: At Georgia College at 5:30 p.m. at the Centennial Center in Milledgeville.
Wednesday, Feb. 20: Francis Marion at 7:30 p.m. at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Wednesday, Feb. 27: Augusta v. USC Aiken at 7:30 p.m. at the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C.
Contact Leeroy Francis at lfrancis@augusta.edu.