Foul shooting differential too much to overcome for Jags

By Justin Gray | Sports editor

DAHLONEGA—The Augusta men’s basketball team fell to North Georgia, 73-66, in a rowdy environment of Nighthawk fans at tje UNG Convocation Center on Saturday, Feb. 24.

This game felt a lot like the first matchup between these two teams in Christenberry Fieldhouse on Jan 27, an 80-66 Nighthawk win that was close most of the way.

It was a slow start for both squads Saturday as the Jaguars led 4-0 three minutes into the game. Both teams then got things going and battled throughout the first half. 

For the Jaguars it was David Viti keeping his team going with nine points in the half, and for North Georgia it was AJ White with 13 points. 

North Georgia held the slight advantage over Augusta 33-31 at halftime. 

Things stayed close until the Jaguars found themselves trailing 48-47, that started a 9-0 Nighthawk run that left Augusta down by 10.  

After that run from North Georgia, the Jaguars couldn’t recover, and they lost their second straight game. This also gave North Georgia a season sweep of AU, the only team to do so.  

The biggest difference in the game between the two teams was the amount of free throws shot by North. The Nighthawks shot 34 free throws, compared to the Jaguars’ slim 10.  

All five of Augusta’s starters had four fouls in the game. 

“We don’t have enough guys for our guys to be out there picking up stupid fouls,” said AU Coach Dip Metress. “That’s done. It’s time to round them up and play Georgia College.” 

Woeful outside shooting hurt as well. The Jaguars shot it only 20 percent from the 3-point line, which is uncharacteristic of these Jaguars.  

Ja’Queze Kirby had 16 points for the Jaguars on 6 of 11 from the field. He also grabbed six rebounds. 

“We didn’t play good enough on defense,” said the Hazlehurst product. “We didn’t get a lot of foul calls either, but that’s just how the game goes sometimes.” 

Max Amadasun had his best game in Peach Belt Conference play with 16 points and 14 rebounds. He knocked down some jumpers and had a couple big put-backs. 

“They beat us in the paint,” said the center from Dublin, Ireland. “They got to the line more than us.” 

The loss dropped AU (8-8, 15-11) into fifth place in the Peach Belt Conference, a game behind Flagler. North Georgia, led by White with 21 points and Frank Champion with 17, are in a three-way tie for first place with Lander and USC Aiken as the teams head into the final week of the regular season.

The Jaguars will continue to fight for the fourth seed in the PBC Tournament as they will host Georgia College on Wednesday, Feb. 28 for Faculty Staff Appreciation night. Tipoff will be 30 minutes after the conclusion of the women’s game.  

In the women’s game Saturday, the Lady Jaguars knocked off North Georgia for the second time this season, dominating the Nighthawks 92-62.  

This one wasn’t close from the start as the Jaguars jumped out to an 11-1 lead on the Nighthawks’ home court.  

AU didn’t stop there as the Jags shot the lights out on their way to a 25-10 lead after the first.  

Autumn Phillips led the way for the Jaguars in the second quarter as they cruised to a 41-26 lead and nothing changed in the third quarter as the Jaguars closed it out still with a 15 point lead.  

Mone Florence knocked down two triples to start the fourth and the Jaguars put the foot on the gas to run away with a 30-point victory.  

Augusta shot 53 percent from the floor and held the Nighthawks to a 35-percent outing. AU also shot 13 more free throws. The Jaguars were 28 of 39 from the line, while UNG was 16 of 26.

Tomiyah Alford had 16 points and Florence 15 for the Jaguars. Yamani Paul added 14.

The Jaguars, 13-3 in PBC play, have now clinched at least the second seed in the Peach Belt tournament. They still have a chance to get the top seed, but it isn’t likely since they were swept by league leader Georgia Southwestern, which is 14-2 in the league.

But the Jaguars are playing now for their first 20-win season in nearly a decade. When the Jags welcome in Georgia College to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Feb. 28, they will be after their 20th win of the season. They last time the AU women had a 20-win season was 2015-16.

Tipoff Wednesday is at 5:30 p.m. 

Both AU teams will finish the second next Saturday afternoon when the Jaguars host USC Beaufort on Senior Day.

Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.

AU’s Max Amadasun (17) shoots a hook shot against North Georgia in the Jaguars’ 73-66 road loss. At the top of the page, Ja’Queze Kirby (3) drives against UNG’s Frank Champion; Kirby had 16 points and six rebounds for Augusta. (photos by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)

Autumn Phillips (5) goes up for two of her 19 points in the Jaguar women’s 92-62 blowout of North Georgia. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)