AU’s first-half struggles lead to third straight loss
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
Augusta University women’s basketball team dropped its third straight game after losing to Georgia Southwestern 85-73 on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
“It’s tough,” said AU Coach Millette Green. “There are 12 games left. We can still finish in the top half of the conference. Basketball is always changing. You never know from game to game. We just have to take it game by game by game and play our way for 40 minutes.”
The Jaguars (2-4, 9-6) welcomed back starting post player Kennedi Manning, returning from being out for health and safety protocols. Although Manning returned for the Jaguars, AU is now without guard November Morton.
“It’s great to have her back,” said Green. “It was one of her best games this season, which is promising, her getting back into her rhythm. We were missing another starter (in Morton). Hopefully, we will have everyone back by Friday and get our rhythm back. The way we played in the second half; we are going to build on that.”
AU struggled to make shots fall in the first quarter, shooting 4 of 14 from the field and only scoring 10 points. The Jaguars’ shooting woes continued in the second quarter, shooting 5 of 17, and they were down 39-23 at the half.
The Jaguars looked like a new team in the second half, shooting 8 of 18 and outrebounding the Hurricanes 17-6. Down by as much as 25 in the third quarter, the Jaguars fought back and were only down 8 with 6:56 to go in the game.
Kayla Langley, the leading scorer for the Hurricanes (5-1, 13-2), finished with 16 points in the game and continued to draw fouls and convert contested layups in the fourth quarter. Georgia Southwestern held on to their lead and won the game 85-73.
The Hurricanes had four others finish in double figures with Ava Jones and Jolicia Williams finishing with 15 points each and Jacquelyn Levay and Daelyn Craig with 11 points apiece.
In her first game back, Manning led the Jaguars with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Zairya West also finished in double digits for the Jaguars with 11 points, followed by Phillips with 10 points.
AU’s next game will be on the road at Flagler College (9-8, 3-4) in St. Augustine, Fla., on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 1:30 p.m.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
AU’s Zairya West (0) goes in for a left-handed layup as Simone Lett (4) defends for the Hurricanes. At the top of the page, the Jaguars’ Kennedi Manning (24) completes a post move on Lett. (photos by Chris Rickerson)
