Jaguars’ free-throw shooting comes up big in win over Clayton State
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Augusta University men’s basketball team stayed undefeated at home, defeating Clayton State 85-70 on Saturday, Jan. 29, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The 24th-ranked Jaguars (6-3, 16-3) added their 11th straight win at home with five players finishing in double-digit scoring.
Tyshaun Crawford, the 7-foot-1 center, led the team with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks and also shot an impressive 14 of 17 from the free throw line.
“It’s pretty big,” said Crawford of his free-throw shooting. “Coach Dip (Metress) just stayed on me, making sure we’re in the gym before and after practice getting our free throws up.”
Metress also spoke about Crawford’s performance and free-throw shooting after the game.
“He’s going to get fouled and he wasn’t able to get his deep position, but he was getting fouled and him making free throws,” the AU coach said. “This is a guy early in his career who would run from the ball not to shoot a free throw. But when you develop as a player, you try some things that are out of you comfort zone, and I’ll take 14 of 17 from free throw line every night.”
Troy Cracknell finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Jaguars. Miguel Arnold had 16 points and 4 assists in the game. Tyrese Myers finished with 13 points and 5 assists, followed by Ja’Queze Kirby with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Wes Williams was the leading scorer for the Lakers with 14 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.
The first half was a tight battle with the Jaguars having 6 turnovers and struggling to guard the 3-point line, but they still led 38-32 at the break.
The Lakers (1-8, 6-13) continued to make their threes in the second half, shooting 7 of 12 from 3-point line. AU combatted that by getting to the free-throw line and making its free tosses, shooting 26-32 from the line.
Although the Jaguars had their struggles, they ran away with the game in the end, winning by 15 points.
“They were 6-13 from the three in the first half and two of the guys were ones we designated shooters, so that was a communication thing, guys not guarding things properly,” said Metress. “The second half we did a better of chasing them off a shot and making them go in there and try and challenge Tyshaun.”
The Jaguars will now head on the road for a three-game stretch, where they are 4-3.
“It was a good win, but I figured out what is wrong with us on the road, so we will address that in practice Monday,” said Metress. “We got six road games left, if you’re going to win a league, you got to win your home games and at least get half of your road games.”
AU’s next game is on the road at North Georgia (5-5, 12-7) on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Miguel Arnold (5) lets fly on a 3-pointer in the second half of AU’s win over the Lakers, as AU Coach Dip Metress watches. At the top of the page, Darren Lucas-White drives through the Clayton State defense on his way to a basket. (photos by Chris Rickerson)
Tyshaun Crawford (0) shows his form at the free-throw line; Crawford made 14 of 17 from the stripe in AU’s 85-70 win over Clayton State. Teammate Jack Johnson (second from left) prepares to rebound in case of a miss. (photo by Chris Rickerson)
