AU men’s basketball team's undefeated start ends with loss at Columbus State

By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor

The Augusta University men’s basketball team’s undefeated start ot the season ended after losing to Columbus State 73-62 on Monday, Dec. 20, at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center in Columbus.

The number No. 8 ranked Jaguars (9-1, 0-1) looked to continue their hot start to the 2021 season, but the Jags had their toughest test yet in Peach Belt Conference rival Columbus State (9-2, 1-1) This matchup was the Jaguars’ first conference game of the season.

The Cougars started out the game with an early 6-1 lead. AU battled back and tied the game 11-11 with 9:28 remaining in the first half after a hook shot from Tyshaun Crawford.

Columbus State went on a 15-5 run with 4:28 remaining in the first half and the Cougars led 26-16 over the Jaguars. Both teams struggled to make shots in the first half as the Jaguars shot 8-26 from the field and the Cougars shot 10-31.

In the second half, junior Miguel Arnold brought the Jaguars back, converting three consecutive 3-pointers and tying the game 43-43 with 13:43 remaining in the game. The game didn’t stay tied for long as Columbus State converted two threes of its own and jumped back out to a 9-point lead with 11:18 remaining in the game.

AU continued to fight throughout the game, but the Jaguars were unable to overcome the Cougars.

The Jaguars struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 10 of 22 from the line and missing some key free throws down the stretch.

Arnold led the Jaguars with 19 points, shooting 7 of 10 from the field and 5 of 8 on 3-pointers. Troy Cracknell finished with 14 points in the game for AU, but struggled overall, shooting 4 of 15 and 0 of 8 from the three-point line. Defensively, Crawford led AU with 4 blocks.

Langston Gaither led Columbus State with 17 points in the win. Hunter Preston also scored in double figures for the Cougars with 12 points, shooting 4-7 from three. Devan-Porter Wilson came up big off the bench for the Cougars with 12 points in 16 minutes, making 4 of 5 threes.

AU’s women’s basketball game ended in a win after Columbus State had to forfeit the game. Coach Millette Green and AU women’s basketball get their first conference win on the season and move to 8-2 overall.

Both AU teams will face Emmanuel College in their next games on Friday, Dec. 31. The women will be playing at home at 2 p.m. The men will be on the road at Emmanuel College also at 2 p.m.

Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusuta.edu