AU men suffer largest loss in rivalry history at USC Aiken
Justin Gray | Sports editor
AIKEN, S.C.—The Jaguars’ basketball team, which was on cloud nine coming into the Jan. 12 game at USC Aiken, came tumbling down, suffering the largest loss in the 86-game history of the rivalry, 84-49.
This also ended Augusta’s nine-game winning streak and recorded the Jaguars’ first loss in 53 days.
That’s a long time and a lot of time to start feeling good about yourself. Sunday’s loss to the Pacers may turn into a good thing, bringing the Jaguars back down to earth a bit.
It was just one of those days where nothing could go well for AU, and everything went right for the opposing team. When you mix that with being manhandled physically, it doesn’t work out too well.
The Jaguars scored 49 points, their lowest total since the first exhibition loss, to NCAA Division I foe Clemson, on Oct. 30, 2024.
They did this on 37-percent shooting from the field and didn’t see any of their seven 3-point tries fall in the entire 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Pacers shot it at a 55 percent clip and outscored AU 46-24 in the paint, something that has been Augusta’s bread and butter all season.
This isn’t your traditional USC Aiken squad that lights it up from 3-point range. In fact, they only shot eight 3-pointers with half going in the hoop.
To compare, the Pacers shot 25 and 20 three-pointers against the Jaguars in their two matchups last season.
Needless to say, Aiken’s game plan frustrated the Jaguars and essentially, they just took AU’s candy, as the saying goes.
“Physically, they were better than us,” said AU Coach Dip Metress. “It had been a long time since we lost, we forgot the feeling of losing, we got it today, though.”
The USCA Convocation Center was packed out for this rivalry, and the already heated rivalry got more heated at the end.
Augusta’s Zyere Edwards was ejected from the game for taking out Mason Grant’s legs on an attempted dunk. It sounds worse than it was, certainly worthy of being a flagrant foul, but now Edwards will miss the Jaguars’ next game.
After that, Aiken made a 3-pointer to extend their lead to 35 points. Mark Vanderslice, the coach of the Pacers, called a timeout to celebrate the regular-season win over their rivals.
This antic didn’t sit well with Metress and his staff.
“They called a timeout to celebrate,” Metress said. “They deserved to win, but we won’t forget that.”
John St. Germain III led Augusta with 14 points. Demitri Gardner, the Jaguars’ leading scorer on the season at more than 22 points per game, only scored 13.
The Pacers’ Jalen McCoy led all scorers with 18 points. The Pacers dominated the boards, 38-23.
The Jaguars will only have two days to prepare for a tough contest with Flagler on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in another Peach Belt game.
This will also be Stuff the Stadium Night, so attendees should bring their stuffed animals because when the Jaguars first basket falls, everyone will throw the items onto the court where they will be picked up and donated to a charity.
Contact jusgray@augusta.edu.
Luis Nonfon (24) goes up for two of his eight points in the Jaguars’ 84-49 loss at USC Aiken on Sunday, Jan. 12. At the top of the page, John St. Germain III, getting a screen from Nonfon, led Augusta with 14 points. (photos by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)
