Viti, Kirby, Gardner and Amadasun lead Jaguars to 78-74 win over Emmanuel
By Justin Gray | Sports editor
The Augusta University Jaguars picked up their best win of the season, 78-74, over Emmanuel University in front of a rowdy crowd at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Dec. 19.
This fifth straight win was a huge momentum booster for the Jaguars (7-2) going into Christmas break, and a good way to end the calendar year.
The Jaguars got off to a slow start, that seems to be a theme this season, finding themselves down 11-5 early. They got going, nonetheless, scoring six straight to get it back even.
The first half continued to be a back and forth affair as no team could get out to a big lead. Both teams were playing physical, getting to the line, and knocking down big shots.
Going into the half, the visiting Lions (9-4) took a 38-36 lead. The Jaguars were not happy with the way they played in the first half, and they wanted to dominate the second half.
Things would get crazy in the second half when the crowd or Dip Metress didn’t agree with the foul call on the floor. Metress said some choice words to the official at one point and was given a technical foul. Emmanuel got four free throws, making three.
This felt like a huge momentum switch as the visiting Lions took a 49-44 cushon, their largest lead in awhile.
The Jaguars were able to capitalize from a few Emmanuel mistakes and found themselves with a 54-53 lead after freshman guard Isaiah Arnold knocked down a 3-point shot.
This stayed a tight contest for the rest of the game, neither team giving in until center Max Amadasun made a tough layup and gave the Jaguars a five-point lead. Emmanuel started fouling to try and stay in the game, but the Jaguars made their free throws down the stretch.
The Jaguars’ emotional leader, David Viti, had his highest scoring game of the season with 23 points. He added five rebounds as well.
“We knew we could get some fouls drawn on them,” said the senior from Buford. “That was my goal, to get to the line more.”
Viti made 11-of-14 free throws in the win.
The Jaguars also had impressive efforts from Ja’Queze Kirby (12 points and 10 rebounds) and Max Amadasun (18 points and 10 rebounds), who both had double-doubles.
“That’s big for us, big for our confidence,” said the 6-foot-10 center from Dublin, Ireland. “We can’t get too high, though, because we play those guys again in two weeks.”
Demitri Gardner added 17 points for the Jaguars, and starting point guard Zyere Edwards led again in assists with four. Gardner made a key basket to give AU a 71-68 lead with two minutes to play.
Emmanuel’s leading scorer was Kelvin (KJ) Jones with 21, followed by Chris Dees with 19 and Kendall Latney with 18.
It’s always good to go into a break period like this playing your best ball. No one knows this better than the head man, Metress.
“Very happy to be 7-2, with this many new guys and young guys playing different roles,” said Metress. “To get a win, we’re happy. Going forward, we just have to get better.”
The Jaguars will resume their schedule on Jan. 1 as they head to Emmanuel. This will be a lot tougher, factoring in the home-court advantage for the Lions. This contest will be the final non-conference game of the pre-conference season. The Jags now take time off for the Christmas break before the New Year’s Day 2 p.m. tipoff at Emmanuel.
Meanwhile, the AU women broke a four-game skid with an 87-45 win at Newberry. Autumn Phillips led the Jaguars (5-4) with 20 points. Kalen Surles dished 10 assists for AU, while Je’Bria Fullwood had 12 points and 12 boards. Tomiyah Alford also had 12 points. The Jaguars will host Erskine on Saturday, Dec. 30, at 1:30 p.m. for Girls in Sports Day.
Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.
Demitri Gardner (2) goes up for two of his 17 points as the Jaguars defeated Emmanuel 78-74 at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Teammate Max Amadasun (17) readies for the rebound. At the top of the page, David Viti (7) tossed in a game-high 23 points for the 7-2 Jaguars. (photos by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
AU’s Max Amadasun feathers a baby hook in the lane over the Lions’ Elisee Ehuie (3) on a night when the Jaguar center had yet another double-double—18 points and 10 rebounds. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)
