Staff report |
AIKEN, S.C.—The Augusta University Jaguars notched a 94-75 win over sixth-ranked USC Aiken on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Convocation Center, and the two teams ended the night tied for first in the Peach Belt Conference with one game left to play in the regular season.
The Jaguars, who started cold and trailed 10-0 early, rallied behind the play of Miguel Arnold, Rafael Monteiro and Tyree Myers. Arnold knocked down 7 of 9 from three-point land en route to a 27-point night. Monteiro added 20 points and Myers 17, including 7 of 8 from the free throw line for AU (18-3, 22-5).
The big difference in the game was the three-point shooting by the Jaguars, who made of 14 of 22 from behind the stripe. In addition to Arnold, Troy Cracknell came off the bench to make four three-pointers and Myers made two. Cracknell finished with 12 points. Deane Williams had 13 points and five rebounds for AU.
"I am proud of our team's effort," AU Coach Dip Metress. "I am really glad to see the True Blue Road Crew come out in force across the river."
The attendance for the game was 2,819.
Overall, Augusta shot 54.5 percent from the field, compared to 46.7 percent for the Pacers (18-3, 24-3). AU also made 20-of-25 free throws as it won its ninth straight game, last losing in a narrow loss to the Pacers on Jan. 30 by a 79-76 score.
Xzavier Barmore led Aiken with 20 points, followed by Ty'lik Evans with 19.
The Jaguars, who are ranked third in the Southeast and got four votes this week in the coaches' national poll, will play their regular-season finale on Saturday, March 2, at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m.
"The game at Lander has major implications for the Peach Belt regular-season title," Metress said. "Hopefully, we will play well."
In this week's media poll, AU was ranked 25th nationally and USC Aiken fifth.
The Peach Belt Conference Tournament will begin on Wednesday, March 6. Both AU and USC Aiken will host their first games in the tourney. The highest remaining seed on the men's side after the PBC quarterfinals will host the semifinals and final March 9-10.
In the women's game, the Jaguars raced to a 10-point halftime lead but saw the Pacers get back in the game with a 13-3 third quarter. USC Aiken then put the game away with a 25-17 fourth quarter for a 63-55 Pacer victory. Kaela Patrick led AU (6-15, 7-20) with 12 points. Jaelyn Autman added 11 and Cameron Wilson 10.
The Jaguar women will play at Lander at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2.
