Rival USC Aiken gets 83-70 Peach Belt win over Jaguar men

By Justin Gray | Sports editor

The Augusta men’s basketball team fell 83-70 to their rivals No. 21 USC Aiken at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Saturday, Jan. 13.  

It was a nearly packed gym as the Jaguars took the court for Student Organization Gold Star Family Day.

The game got off to a fast start as AU forward Ja’Queze Kirby knocked down a 3-pointer 25 seconds in. 

USC Aiken (3-1, 12-2) responded with a layup and two three-pointers, and the Jaguars never led again. Aiken rode this hot streak into half with a 46-31 lead of Augusta (1-3, 8-6).  

Aiken shot the lights out in the first half, 56 percent from the field and 57 percent from behind the arc.  

If the Jaguars wanted a chance they would have to adjust and make some big shots of their own.  

In the second half, the Jaguars outscored USC Aiken and even cut the lead to nine, but it just wasn’t Augusta’s day.  

For the Jaguars, it was another big game from Kirby, who has really been putting up good numbers lately.  The junior from Hazlehurst had 21 points and eight rebounds in the loss.  

“I didn’t have my shot like I wanted, but I made a few,” said Kirby. “We’ve got to stay together and stay aggressive going forward with conference play.” 

When the host Jaguars made their runs in the second half, it was thanks to center Max Amadasun, who finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He also had a solid day on defense with three blocks and one steal.  

“They came into a hostile environment and came ready to play and we didn’t,” said the Dublin, Ireland, native. “We started playing their game, that’s not the kind of game we need to play, we should’ve stuck to playing our game.”  

Assistant Zach Tinkham coached Saturday’s game for the Jaguars because Coach Dip Metress was attending former AU player Tyvez Monroe’s funeral in Washington, D.C. 

“They did a very good job of kicking the ball out for the three and having inside out 3-pointers,” said Tinkham. “We knew going into the game they shot a very high percentage from the 3-point line. It’s a challenge because we want to be able to guard the 3-point line but not be beat off the dribble at the same time.” 

Thirty-nine of Aiken’s 83 points came from beyond the three-point line. Tehree Horn had four and Tyler Johnson had five for the Pacers. Their leading scorer was Jalen McCoy with 23.  

Tinkham employed a zone defense that stymied the Pacers at times, especially in the second half. Yet it was not enough to slow down Aiken, which showed why it is a top-25 team with its offensive efficiency—with 13 made 3-pointers on 25 tries (52 percent).

As for the Jaguars, they just need to flush this one and get ready for the next one because you don’t get to take a game off in this tough Peach Belt Conference.  

Augusta will travel to St. Augustine, Fla., on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7:30 p.m. to take on Flagler (1-3, 8-6). With the Jaguars falling at home, it’s crucial for them to pick up some road wins.  

Contact Justin Gray at jusgray@augusta.edu.

AU’s Ja’Queze Kirby (3) had 21 points and eight rebounds, but it was not enough as USC Aiken defeated the Jaguars 83-70 in a Peach Belt Conference contest. (staff photo) At the top of the page, Kirby looks inside against the Pacer defense. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)

Max Amadasun (17) was unstoppable in the paint in the second half, and the 6-foot-10 center from Dublin, Ireland, finished with 14 points and 12 boards. (photo by Paula Toole, AU Athletics)