Augusta set for potential tough matchup in the Final Four against IUP
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The Augusta University men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four after an 81-69 overtime win over Chico State on Tuesday night, March 22, and will play Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Thursday, March 24, at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
The third-seeded Jaguars (32-3) defeated sixth-seeded Chico State behind the play of Miguel Arnold, who scored a career-high 33 points in the win.
No. 2 IUP (33-2) advanced to the Final Four after defeating No. 7 Hillsdale 67-55.
This semifinal game will be no easy matchup for the Jaguars as AU Coach Dip Metress says he expects the game to be very physical against IUP.
“It’s going to be like a boxing match,” said Metress. “Both teams will be very physical. They are very good defensively.”
The Crimson Hawks are ranked second in defensive field-goal percentage, holding opponents to an average of 38-percent shooting throughout the season. They are led by one of the eight players that are finalist for the Division II National Player of the Year in guard Armoni Foster.
Foster averages 18.3 points per game, along with five rebounds and is fourth in the country with 6.6 assists per game. He struggled in the NCAA quarterfinal against Hillsdale, shooting 3 for 10 with only seven points. IUP had three other scoring threats carry the load with 21 points from guard Dave Morris, 18 points from forward Tomiwa Sulaiman and 14 from Ethan Porterfield.
“There best player did not play well, so they won a game when their best player was not one of their best,” said Metress. “They are in the Final Four for a reason. They got good players, and a combination of good coaches and good players gets you a lot of wins in the spring.”
IUP is making its first appearance to the Final Four since 2015 and their third under current coach Joe Lombardi.
Augusta is returning to the Final Four for the first time since 2009 and their third trip overall in school history under Metress.
Black Hills State and Northwest Missouri will tip off first at 4 p.m., followed by Augusta and IUP at 6:30 p.m. (EDT). The winner will advance to the National Championship game on Saturday, March 26, also played at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind.
Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augustua.edu.
Ja’Queze Kirby tries for the putback in AU’s win against Chico State. At the top of the page, Miguel Arnold shoots a three as he led the Jaguars with 33 points. (photos by Madison Keel)
