Without Manning, AU women’s basketball comes up short in overtime, 74-70
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
The Augusta University women’s basketball team fell 74-70 in overtime to Columbus State on Saturday, Jan. 15, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (2-3, 9-5) were without starting center Kennedi Manning due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols but had a game plan going into Saturday’s matchup against the Cougars (3-3, 10-6).
“Forcing contested threes, protecting the paint, which we did in the first half, they didn’t shoot it well, they didn’t make threes,” said AU Coach Millette Green. “Then in the second half, we didn’t protect the paint as well. They outscored us in the paint and made one three, so kind of got away from the game plan in the second half.”
Columbus State started out the game on a 9-0 run early in the first quarter. The Jaguars fought right back, going on an 8-0 run of their own and were down by one with 6:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Mone Florence made an open layup with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter, giving the Jaguars the lead 16-14.
Both teams shot poorly in the second quarter with the Cougars, shooting 4 of 15 from the field and the Jaguars 5 of 14. Free throws would be one of the key factors in the game as Columbus State shot 4 of 5 from the line in the second quarter and the game was tied 28-28 at the half.
Green was disappointed in her team’s free throw shooting as the Jaguars shot 5 of 14 from the free-throw line. The Cougars got a lot of their points from the free-throw line, shooting 18 of 28.
“Free throws … We shoot those everyday pre-practice and after practice,” said Green. “Continuing to do it over and over again, putting themselves in the moment every single time.”
The Jaguars would be down three going into the fourth quarter, but Kiera Howard made two big 3-pointers late, and AU had the lead 60-58 with 44 seconds remaining in regulation. Imani Arnold converted a layup with 24 seconds left and sent the Cougars to overtime.
Chrisalyn Boston gave Columbus State the lead 67-65 after converting a contested and-one layup with 1:10 remaining in overtime. AU struggled with two turnovers on the inbounds late in overtime and lost the game by four points.
“It came down to free throws, crucial turnovers and defensive rebounds,” said Green. “They outrebounded us by one, that one rebound was the difference in the game, maybe we didn’t give up an and-one and got the rebound and scored. It could have been the difference in the game.”
Howard led the Jaguars in scoring with 16 points, 8 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Zairya West finished second in scoring for AU with 15, followed by Michaela Lane with 10 points.
Guard Amber Abusbeih led Columbus State in scoring with 19 points. Arnold, who came up big down the stretch for the Cougars, finished with 18 points.
The Jaguars’ next game will be at home against Georgia Southwestern (3-1, 11-2) on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Kiera Howard (3) led Augusta with 16 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds; here she is guarded by Columbus State’s Amber Abusbeih (3). (photo by Katron Hugee) At the top of the page, Michaela Lane (4) had 10 points for the Jaguars. (photo by AU Athletics)
