Staff reportTroy Cracknell scored 20 points and Rafael Monteiro added 13 to lead Augusta University to a 100-68 victory over South Carolina State University in a men's college basketball scrimmage on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Christenberry Fieldhouse.The Jaguars, coming off a 28-6 campaign in 2018-19 that got them to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16, scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Bulldogs.Sophomore center Tyshaun Crawford had 12 points and earned praise form Jaguar Coach Dip Metress for several nice passes, including one to Monteiro in a high-low set early in the second half. Crawford is a transfer from Georgia Southern.“This is my first time being out here in a long time, playing basketball," Crawford said. "I focused on getting my rebounds, doing what I can on the block, and stuff like that.”Tyree Myers, coming off a leg injury and surgery over the summer, ran the point guard position for the Jaguars and added nine points. Sophomore guard Dareen Lucas-White and junior guard Shawn Moss each had seven points for AU.
Augusta outscored the Bulldogs by 54-27 in the first half and 46-41 in the second half.“We shot really well, and we were able to establish the inside with the big man [Crawford]," Metress said. "That was the main thing. Our defense led to our offense. It was a good team effort and we just got to keep pounding the ball inside and playing off the guys inside.Both coaches emptied their benches for the last four minutes of action.Damani Applewhite, who was an MEAC first-team choice last season, and Ozante Fields each had 13 points for S.C. State. Rashaan Edwards got hot late and had eight points for the Bulldogs.Metress saw very little not to like in the performance against S.C. State.“Troy Cracknell was really good," Metress said. "In fact, our top eight guys played well. I was pleased. In the second half, we fouled too much, and we can’t do that. Our top guys can’t play if they’re in foul trouble.”Augusta will host Anderson on Friday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in another scrimmage.