AU women’s hoops team takes care of Lakers at home before road stretch
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Augusta University women’s basketball team defeated Clayton state 66-58 on Saturday, Jan. 29, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars won their second game in a row, after previously being on a four-game losing streak.
“We have been focusing on our energy and effort and focusing on the next play,” said AU Assistant Coach Celeste Stewart, who spoke with the media after the game because Coach Millette Green had laryngitis. “Every play is not going to be perfect, but for us I think just continuing to play through our mistakes and keep pressing forward. Now on the winning streak, we just have to continue what were doing.”
November Morton and Zairya West both started out game in the first with an early 3-pointer, as AU went ahead 10-2 in the first quarter.
The Jaguars would lead 20-12 after the first quarter, but the Lakers bounced back, going on a 9-3 run to end the first half. Clayton State’s Timi’a Swanson converted a layup at the buzzer and brought her team within one, 28-27, at the half.
Both teams struggled with turnovers as the Jaguars had 15 at the half, and the Lakers had 13. Stewart spoke about the game plan going into the second half.
“Going into the second half the gameplan was taking care of the ball, making sure were getting sure were getting possessions where were executing,” she said. “We don’t want empty possessions, and we were able to do a good job of making free throws down the stretch.”
Kennedi Manning scored 10 points for the Jaguars in the third quarter, extending their lead to seven, 46-39.
The Lakers battled back in fourth, cutting the lead down to four points, but AU finished the game on a 15-5 run.
Manning led the Jaguars with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Morton finished with 13 points, followed by West and Kiera Howard, who each finished with 11 points.
Audrey McElhaney led the Lakers with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jessica Maye also finished with 12 points for the Lakers.
After this win for the Jaguars, they will now head on a three-game road stretch with nine regular season games remaining.
“Every game is important,” Stewart said. “On the road is usually tougher, so I think we have to lock in the much more and just stick to our principles.
The Jaguars next game will be on the road against first-place North Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
AU’s Kiera Howard (3) tries to score in heavy traffic. At the top of the page, Kennedi Manning goes up for two of her 16 points in the Jaguars’ win over Clayton State. (photos by Chris Rickerson)
