AU men’s basketball wraps up PBC play with win over FMU

By Carlos Rodriguez | Sports editor

Augusta University men’s basketball team continued their winning streak with a dominant defensive outing, defeating Francis Marion 57-41 on Wednesday night, Feb. 24, at the Smith University Center in Florence, S.C.

The Jaguars displayed their most impressive defensive game of the season, holding the Patriots to only 13 points in the first half.

“I was proud of the fact that we go on the road and not be able to make a conference tournament but play with energy,” said AU Coach Dip Metress.

After losing three straight games, the Jaguars ended Peach Belt Conference play on a high note, winning three in a row. 

AU was led by juniors Tyshaun Crawford and Darren Lucas-White, who both scored 14 points. Crawford grabbed 10 rebounds, posting his third double-double in the past four games. Lucas-White grabbed seven boards.

Early in the first half, the Jaguars jumped out to an 11-0 lead. The run started in the opening possession as Crawford slammed in an easy dunk. A three-point basket from Lucas-White ended the run.

FMU’s Matthew Lee stopped the shutout, making two floaters to cut the lead to 11-4 with 14:55 remaining. Augusta answered with some looks in the paint while holding the Patriots scoreless for another three minutes.

A steal followed by a layup by Lucas-White gave AU a 23-8 lead, their biggest of the half. Lucas-White scored the final points of the half after finishing an and-one layup to go up 26-13.

Augusta held Francis Marion to 17.9 percent from the field in the half. 

“We held them to five made baskets the first half, and we missed seven free throws, so we should’ve been up more at halftime,” said Metress on the team’s first-half performance.

The second half started out just like the first, Augusta scored 10 unanswered points, going up 36-13 after a three-pointer from Tyree Myers.

FMU got on board at the 14:50 mark after Ja’Von Anderson made an and-one layup to cut the deficit to 36-16. The Patriots started connecting on baskets and a Jamal Edmonson three-pointer brought the game down to 38-27 with 10:43 remaining. 

Freshman John Whitehead III knocked down a three-pointer to give AU a 53-31 lead with 4:13 left.

Despite a better offensive half than the first for the Patriots, the Jags were still able to secure the win and leave Florence with a 57-41 win.

Augusta shot 36.5 percent from the field compared to 25.4 percent shot by Francis Marion. They outrebounded FMU 51-37 and outscored them in the paint 32-16. However, the Jaguars did suffer from the line, shooting only 57.1 percent.

“Defensively we were better; they couldn’t get anything at the basket,” said Metress. “Our size hurt them, and they got a little frustrated and started taking some quick shots. If we made our free throws earlier we would’ve opened it up even more.”

Since UNC-Pembroke opted out of the season, Augusta will not play its last regular-season PBC game like most teams will. Instead, they will play a non-conference matchup on Sunday, Feb. 28, at Allen University (4-2) in Columbia, S.C.

With Pembroke opting out and a game with the University of North Georgia not being rescheduled after being postponed twice, AU was never able to play the full 16-game conference schedule.

“One of the good things about adding another game is you get more practice,” said Metress. “We only had 13 league games so I’m like ‘hey let’s try and play as many games as we can.’ We’re adding Allen, and I don’t know if we’re allowed to add anymore, but if we are, I’m going to do it.”

The Jags will not play in the PBC Tournament next week since they’re fifth in the conference standings, one spot short as only the top-four teams advance. 

Note: In the photo above, Tyshaun Crawford goes up for two points; he scored 14 in the win over Francis Marion. (photo by Viraj Bulla)

Contact Carlos Rodriguez at CRODRIGU@augusta.edu.