Augusta men still searching for a win after falling to Fayetteville State
Justin Gray | Sports editor
The frustrating start to the 2024-25 season for the Augusta University men’s basketball team continued on Wednesday, Nov. 20, as the Jaguars fell to Fayetteville State, 79-62, in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
“Embarrassing,” said AU Coach Dip Metress aftewards. “This is not what our program is about. We have a 0-4 record; we’re not competing, not listening, thinking they got all the answers.”
It is the first time in his 21-year AU career that one of Metress’s teams started the season with four straight losses.
Against FSU, it was a similar script seen in each of the first three games as the Jaguars kept it close for a half, but they couldn’t hang in the second half.
AU only trailed by seven at halftime, but a 15-3 Bronco run in the first four minutes of the second half led to the game never being close again.
A big part of that run was turnovers, something that has been a problem since the start of the season as AU gave the ball away 14 times, and the Jaguars’ season total rose to 71.
Averaging 17.5 turnovers per game is not a recipe for success, and when the other team is making you pay, it’s almost impossible to win. The Broncos scored 21 points off of turnovers alone.
When you’re on a losing streak like this, something has to give or something has to change and Metress made it very clear what’s next.
The defense has been another pivotal part of the problem as opponents are shooting 46 percent from the field.
It felt like every time a Fayetteville State player went up with a mid-range shot, it was falling, credit to the shooters, but this has become a common theme with AU’s opponents.
On offense, the Jaguars have yet to hit their stride as they have shot 29 percent from behind the arc as a team this season.
Of course, we know that Metress’ offense relies heavily on getting the ball down low and Augusta was without senior center Maximillian Amadasun, who served his one-game suspension for the flagrant two foul he was called for on Sunday, Nov. 17, against Florida Southern. The Jags also did not have Evan Joyner, who is dealing with a toe problem.
“We don’t have Max, don’t have Evan, but there are no excuses,” Metress said. “Nobody gonna feel sorry for us; we’re 0-and-4, and 0-and-4 is embarrassing.”
Joyner hurt his toe in the Florida Southern game when he was fouled hard on a layup attempt.
A couple of Jaguars showed up with solid nights.
As usual, Demitri Gardner led the team in points with 21. Freshman TJ Baker got his first start and had nine points, two rebounds and two assists.
“When you lose by 25, no one plays well,” Metress said “We got guys getting tired out there. I told them, ‘I hope you’re enjoying yourself off the floor,'.”
The Jaguars have a lot to figure out if they want to compete out of conference and inside Peach Belt Conference.
That’s not to say Fayetteville State isn’t one of the better teams on Augusta’s schedule, because the Broncos have one of the best guard tandems the Jaguars will face this season in Tairell Fletcher and Ezekiel Cannedy, who combined for 45 points.
Fletcher had 27 against Augusta last year and was the sole reason the Broncos came back to win the game as he nailed a three-pointer as time expired to seal the deal.
Next up for the Jaguars is a date at Benedict College, next Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.
The Tigers own an 0-4 record as well and no games in between, so one of the two will pick up their first win next Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the AU women suffered their first loss of the season by a 61-60 score at Francis Marion. Mone Florence led AU with 16 points. Tyasia Freeman added 12 points, and Nyaneit Puok chipped in 11.
The Jaguars, ranked 25th in the country, will host Belmont Abbey at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.
AU’s Elias Palsson (8) looks for an open teammate in the Jaguars’ 79-62 loss to Fayetteville State. At the top of the page, Oliver Lucas (13) goes up for two of his six points for AU. (photos by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
The Jaguars’ Demitri Gardner (2) drives for two of his 21 points in the game against Fayetteville State on Nov. 20 at Christenberry Fieldhouse. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
