Crawford's steal, free throw propel AU past North Georgia, 72-71

Staff report

Augusta University center Tyshaun Crawford stole an inbounds pass with 2.5 seconds left, was fouled as he was headed for a sure layup and then made a single free throw to lift the Jaguars to a 72-71 victory at North Georgia on Wednesday, Feb 22.

Crawford’s theft and charity toss at the end of a highly competitive tilt left the Peach Belt Conference standings in a three-way tie for first place on the men’s side entering the final Saturday of the season. AU, North Georgia and USC Aiken all stand 13-4 entering play on Feb. 25.

If the Jaguars beat Clayton State in the AU Homecoming game at Christenberry Fieldhouse at 3:30 p.m. and No. 19 North Georgia defeats USCA in Aiken, then No. 20 Augusta (13-4, 22-5) will host the PBC Tournament next week. If the Pacers win Saturday, they will host the PBC Tournament.

Crawford finished with 26 points and seven rebounds, but nothing the 7-foot-1 center did all night was more important than his Larry Bird-like game-deciding steal as the contest between top-20 teams looked headed for overtime.

“It was as unique as ending as I have ever witnessed, especially considering the implications for the Peach Belt regular season title,” said AU Coach Dip Metress.

The game was tied at 71-71 with 2.5 seconds left when the Nighthawks’ Greg Billups Jr. attempted an inbounds pass to teammate Frank Champion on the baseline where AU’s basket stood. Jaguar Coach Dip Metress elected to contest the inbounds toss with this tallest player, and Crawford deflected the pass with his left hand, gathered the ball, drove to the basket and was fouled by Billups.

“We put Tyshaun on the ball to make the pass hard,” Metress said. “It was a dead ball situation, so the inbounder couldn’t move on the baseline.  I had already started to think what the first play we were going to run to start the overtime. Tyshaun made a great play to get a deflection and then take a shot.”

Crawford sank one free throw with 0.5 seconds left for the win.

The senior from Griffin struggled mightily at the line for the night, missing seven of his 11 attempts. However, he made the biggest free throw of the season after his big steal.

“We didn’t panic and played with a purpose all  night,” Metress said about his team had eked out the victory. “We changed something defensively before Flagler to play more of an instinct on the helpside of the floor, and I think that caused us to take more responsibility of guarding our own man.”

Tyree Myers had 15 points for AU, and teammate Ja’Queze Kirby had eight points, including a late dunk that was crucial.

“Tyree had hit a mini-slump but came out of it in a big way,” Metress said. “I was proud of Kirby because he picked up a third and fourth foul that caused him to have to come out of the game. He didn’t let it bother him, and he came up with a Sportscenter-type highlight dunk.”

Kirby’s dunk with 41 seconds left had given AU a 71-70 lead. UNG’s Hunter Shedenhelm made one free throw with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 71-71 before Crawford’s heroics at the very end.

Darren Lucas-White chipped in eight points, six board, four assists and two steals.

Champion led the Nighthawks (13-4, 20-5) with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Earlier, the AU women lost to the Nighthawks 61-56. Autumn Phillips led the Jaguars (10-7, 17-10) with 16 points. Tomiyah Alford added 11 for AU.

Saturday’s doubleheader with Clayton State begin at 1:30 p.m. with the women’s contest.

“We want to send our four seniors out on a positive note with their last regular season game,” Metress said.  “They are four different players who all have unique personalities, but they all impact winning in so many ways.”

The men’s seniors are Crawford, Myers, Lucas-White and Miguel Arnold.

The women’s seniors are Kiera Howard and Kennedi Manning.

Tyshaun Crawford was off target most of the night from the line, but when his team needed a make, the senior from Griffin nailed the game-winner with 0.5 seconds to play. At the top of the page, Crawford was much more accurate from the field, hitting 11 of 19 on a 26-point night. (photos by Madison Keel)