Jaguar men lose close hoops contest to rival USC-Aiken, 71-69

By Justin Brosemer | Sports writer

The Augusta University men’s basketball team dropped a close Peach Belt Conference contest to rival USC Aiken on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Christanberry Fieldhouse by a score of 71-69.

The top performers for Augusta (4-6, 6-6) were Darren Lucas-White, Tyree Myers and Tyshaun Crawford. Lucas-White had 16 points and five rebounds. Myers totaled 15 points and five assists. Crawford was able to earn a double-double in the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds, as well as adding two blocks and two assists to that stat sheet.

After the Jaguars found themselves down 40-29 at halftime, they would surge out of the locker room and go on an 8-0 run to make the game 40-37. During the run, AU Forward Timmy Sellers would save the possession at 17:24 and explode with a dunk to put the Jags within five points.

“We came out with some much energy because the last game against Flager, we came out in the second half sluggish,” Lucas-White said about his team’s second half comeback. “So, we just came out against Aiken with more energy and picked it up on the defensive end.”

The Jaguars would experiment with a three-guard lineup in this game, with Myers, Lucas-White and sixth-man Shawn Moss to bring them energy and shooting with 13 minutes left in the game.

The biggest momentum shift would come at 11:20 in the second half, starting with a big three from Myers. Directly after, Myers would get a steal that led to a momentous Lucas-White fast-break dunk to put the Jaguars up 50-49, causing USC Aiken (7-4, 8-5) to call a timeout.

The Jaguars would retain the lead until 8:33, when Anyeuri Castillo, Aiken’s game-high scorer with 19 points off the bench, would sink a three to make it 56-54. The Jags would then go on a run to take the lead back, however.

The Jaguars would keep their lead until 2:58 in the game. That’s when Aiken would nail the second of three consecutive three-pointer, this one by Tehree Horn, who would score 16.

With 19 seconds left, Crawford would finish a layup for the Jags to bring it within 2, at 67-65. On the back of that possession would come three fouls from the Jaguars to get Aiken to the free throw line with eight seconds left. Aiken would sink both, making it 69-65. In AU’s possession, Crawford would be sent to the line after a layup attempt, sinking one and missing another.

Crawford’s second free throw would lead to arguably the most controversial call of the season, in which Crawford’s second free throw would fall wide left, hitting the rim. However, the half court referee would blow his whistle mistaking the attempt for an airball.

This mistake would lead the referees conversing and first giving possession to the Jaguar’s, only to review the replay monitor, and reverting the possession call to Aiken on the grounds of them having possession of the rebound when the whistle was blown. 

AU Coach Dip Metress would go on to contest the call incessantly. Unfortunately, it was to no avail, as Aiken would shoot free throws again making the score 71-66 with one second remaining. Even Moss’s buzzer beater 3 to end the game couldn’t save AU’s hopes, making the final score 71-69.

“Man, I’m doing this for my family,” Lucas-White said.” Where I’m from, you have to be tough and greedy when you’re on the court because nothing is given. So, I just do what my team needs me to do in order to win the game. If I have to dive all over the floor for loose balls or going across the court to close out an open player then I will. I’m willing to lay everything out on the floor with my guys, and I know they will do the same for me.”

The Jaguars lost both games to the Pacers by a total of three points, and in the first game at Aiken a scoring error was made and the game was actually tied at the end of regulation.

Augusta will now travel to Lander Saturday, Feb. 20, for a 3:30 p.m. matchup. The women’s game starts at 1:30 p.m.

Contact Justin Brosemer at jbrosemer@augusta.edu.

Darren Lucas-White throws down a jam during AU’s narrow loss to the Pacers. At the top of the page, Timmy Sellers (21) dunks as his teammates celebrate. (photos by Justin Brosemer)