Augusta loses home opener to unbeaten Benedict College
Justin Gray | Sports writer
The Augusta University Jaguars came in hoping to bounce back from a one-point loss at Fayetteville State last week and get back on track in their home opener against Benedict College, but that didn’t happen as they lost, 72-64, on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (2-2) shot their season worst 35 percent from the field as well as only 30 percent from behind the arc. This is not ideal in any offense, but especially AU’s, as the Jaguars pride themselves in taking and making good shots.
Both teams opened the game with a slow start with the score being only 11-10 Augusta through eight minutes of play. The next 12 minutes was all Benedict as the Tigers on a 33-12 run to make it 43-23 at the half.
The Jaguars, though being down 20 points, made it a game in the second half. After a 23-5 run with 13 minutes remaining, the Jaguars found themselves only trailing by two points at 48-46.
Benedict fired back with a big run of their own to really put the Jaguars away, although they did get it back to six at one point, but could get no closer.
Along with their poor efficiency from the field, the Jaguars had their most turnovers in a game to this point with 18. These two things combined are not a recipe for success.
Even in the loss, center Max Amadasun was dominant once again. He led the team in every category with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists.
“In the first half, we started slow so nobody was getting the looks they wanted,” said the 6-foot-10 junior. “The major thing that was working was when we came out fired up in the second half and when we’re on we do good things. It just has to be consistent for 40 minutes.”
When asked about what went wrong for his team in this game, AU Coach Dip Metress saId: “Some of our better players didn’t play well and they let it affect the next possession. When you’re a good player and I stick with you, we have got to play better.”
Benedict improved to 4-0 with their win over Augusta. Brandon Smith led Benedict in scoring with 19 points, followed by Asanti Price and Marshaun West, who had 15 apiece.
Benedict Coach Artis Maddox was proud of his team’s performance. s
“We were resilient, had toughness and heart, and that’s how they came out and got this win,” Maddox said. “Augusta is recognized throughout the country. To come in here and get a win is huge.”
AU will be back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Christenberry Fieldhouse as the Jaguars host Claflin University
Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.
AU’s Zyere Edwards (0) brings the ball into the front court against Benedict’s Asanti Price (1). This came during a strong run to start the second half, when the Jags narrowed the Tiger lead down to just two points. Benedict led 43-23 at the half. (photo by Justin Gray) At the top of the page, Max Amadasun (17) was the standout for the Jaguars with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
