AU women improve to 3-0 with hoops win over Johnson C. Smith

By Madison Keel | Sports writer

The Augusta University women’s basketball team took home the win in their first home game of the season, defeating Johnson C. Smith University 73-68 on Nov. 16.

The Jaguars (3-0) started off strong, pulling ahead 21-10 in the first quarter. The team had a 75-percent 3-point shooting percentage in the opening quarter. This effort was led by sophomore Mone Florence, who made both of her 3-point attempts.

In the second quarter, Johnson C. Smith rallied, scoring 20 points and making 8 for 16 from the field. Augusta did score 15 points and held a 36-31 lead at the half.

The third quarter was close, as AU outscored the visitors 23-21. The Jaguars shot 67-percent from the 3-point line in the period. Currently, the Jaguars are second in the Peach Belt in 3-point percentage at 43 percent.

The Golden Bulls (0-3) did outscore Augusta 16-14 in the final quarter, but it was not enough.

Toward the end of the game, Johnson C. Smith’s Shaniya Jones received a technical foul after verbally disagreeing with an offensive foul called against her. Florence made one of two in her first set of free throw attempts for the match.

Florence totaled 14 points to lead the Jaguars, followed closely by senior Kennedi Manning with 13. Three other Jaguars scored in double figures, including Yamani Paul (12 and 7 rebounds), Autumn Phillips (11) and Tomiyah Alford (11).

Manning, who named Peach Belt Conference player of the week as she led AU to two wins the first week of the season, said that the offense played unselfishly in the win over Johnson C. Smith.

“It means we are sharing the ball,” Manning said. “It’s good. We have scoring threats at different areas.”

AU Interim Coach Celeste Stewart saw some room for improvement.

“We need to be taking care of the ball rebounding-wise,” Stewart said.

The Golden Bulls were led by Shaniya Jones with 20 points, and Tyliah Burns added 16.

The Jaguar’ next game takes place at Benedict College on Nov. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

Augusta will return home to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Sunday, Nov. 27, at 1:30 p.m. against Wingate.

Contact Madison Keel at mkeel@augusta.edu.

The Jaguars’ Tomiyah Alford (12) drives to the basket in AU’s 73-68 win over Johnson C. Smith. At there top of the page, Autumn Phillips (5) goes up for a shot in the lane. (photos by Madison Keel)