By Leeroy Francis Jr. |
Sports editor
The Augusta University men’s basketball team defeated Francis Marion 75-70 on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in a tight Peach Belt Conference matchup, and the Jaguars now have extended their winning streak to seven games with three games left in the regular season.
AU, second in the PBC, was led for the fourth straight game by senior forward Deane Williams, who captured his fourth straight double-double. Williams, the Peach Belt player of the week, tallied 20 points and 17 rebounds (9 offensive rebounds), along with two steals and two blocks, for his tenth double-double of the season.
Junior Rafael Monteiro added 15 points and senior Tyvez Monroe chipped in 14 for the Jaguars, who led 43-37 at halftime and held on in a tight contest in the second half. Freshman Tyree Myers made two free throws with eight seconds left for the final margin, and then Williams stole the ball on the Patriots' last possession.
Winston Hill scored 27 for third-place Francis Marion (14-4, 18-5). He made 12 of 15 from the floor.
One of the key differences in the game was free throws taken. The Jags made 16 of 27 from the line, while the Patriots were 9 of 13.
Augusta (16-3 in the PBC, 20-5 overall) is a perfect 7-0 in February, winner of 10 of its last 11 and is 14-2 since Jan. 1. League leader USC Aiken also won Wednesday night, over fourth-place UNC Aiken. The Jaguars travel to Aiken on Feb. 27.
In the women's game, Francis Marion took a 91-70 victory over AU. Keira Howard led Augusta (5-14, 6-19) with 25 points, and Cameryn Wilson added 15 and six rebounds. Asia Harrison had eight points and four rebounds. The Lady Patriots shot 61 percent from the field, compared to 36 percent for AU.
Francis Marion led 48-35 at halftime and pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Both AU teams play on Saturday, Feb. 23, against Georgia Southwestern for the Jaguars' homecoming. The women start at 1:30 p.m. and the men at 3:30.
Contact Leeroy Francis at lfrancis@augusta.edu.