Augusta’s season ends at the hands of Lenoir-Rhyne in first round of NCAA tournament

Justin Gray | Sports Editor

COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Augusta men’s basketball team fell to red-hot Lenoir-Rhyne, 94-79, on Saturday, March 15, in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

This marks the second straight season the Jaguars have failed to win a tournament game, having fallen last year in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference tournament to Flagler.

You never know what to expect when you play a team from another conference, and it turns out this was probably the toughest matchup Augusta could’ve had.

One of the main reasons is that the Jags were unable to outwork the Bears on the boards, recording only 20 rebounds in the entire game compared to Lenoir-Rhyne’s 33.

This total was the lowest of the season and tied for the lowest number of rebounds in a game for Augusta since Jan. 11, 2023, in a win over Lander.

The game actually started out in the Jaguars’ favor, forcing some turnovers and being able to drive to the basket for points.

Augusta held its largest lead, 17-12, at the 12:33 mark, but shortly after, Lenoir-Rhyne’s Hantz Louis-Jeune knocked down a three-pointer, and the game went to a media timeout.

Returning from the media, the Bears went on a 7-0 run, part of a 10-0 run overall, to steal the momentum, and they never really gave it back the rest of the game.

One of the most crucial moments came at the four-minute mark when Augusta’s junior star Demitri Gardner was called for his third foul on a questionable call.

AU coach Dip Metress, reacts to a controversial foul call issued to Demetri Gardner versus Lenoir-Rhyne in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional first round (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics).

Top of screen: AU’S John St. Germain III, puts up a 3-pointer versus Lenoir-Rhyne in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional first round (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics).

“I’m looking forward to seeing that on the teaching tape on how to wall up in transition,” said Coach Dip Metress regarding the call on Gardner.

The Jaguars then had to limp into the half shorthanded and trailing, 47-36.

Augusta came out of the half and went on a 6-2 run to cut the Lenoir-Rhyne lead to seven but could never get it any closer.

All the credit goes to the Bears; they were strong in every facet where the Jaguars struggled.

When a team shoots at a 59% clip from the field and 57% from three-point range, they’re going to be hard to beat, and that was the case with Lenoir-Rhyne today.

The Bears were led by Tay Smith, who had 23 points and knocked down four three-pointers. Louis-Jeune had 20 points and made three three-pointers.

Conrad Luczynski, the Bears’ 7-foot-2 center, had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. He was a tough task for the Jaguars to block out down low.

For the Jaguars, as has been the story all season, they were led by Gardner, who had 21 points despite his foul trouble.

“It was tough to get the third foul that early; it kind of took me out of my rhythm sitting on the bench getting cold,” said the Winchester, Va., native.

Maximilian Amadasun had a big offensive day with 21 points to wrap up his collegiate career.

It’s been a phenomenal last two seasons with Amadasun manning the center position for Augusta, and seeing his growth has been great.

Being the only senior on a team can be a lot of pressure, and he handled it better than most.

I asked Max how he wanted Jaguar fans to remember him.

“Just me being the best player I can be,” said the Dublin, Ireland, native. “The kid from Ireland who came here and left a mark on the court. Someone who was the most unselfish, kind big man you know.”

AU’s Max Amadasun surveys the court in his final game as a Jaguar versus Lenoir-Rhyne in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional first round (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics).

Augusta finished the season with a 19-11 record, but closed out the season much like it started, losing its final three games.

The loss hurts today, but there’s a lot to look forward to over the next few years as the Jaguars retain all of their key players.

That’s a wrap on the 2024-25 season for the Augusta men’s basketball program.

Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.