Lady Jags drop their first-round game of the PBC Tournament to Lander, 63-61

By Jaxon Garner | Editor in Chief

Augusta University and Lander clashed for the third time in 16 days, but this time, the Jaguars fell short in overtime, suffering a heartbreaking 63-61 loss in the Peach Belt Tournament.

The Augusta University women’s basketball team faced a familiar foe in the Lander Bearcats to open the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. Wednesday night’s matchup marked the third meeting between the Jaguars and Bearcats in the past 16 days.

Augusta entered the contest with a 2-0 record against Lander, having won 70-58 at home and 58-53 on the road. However, as Jaguars head coach Celeste Stewart noted, beating a team three times is no easy task.

“We try to keep our preparation consistent, no matter who we play. It’s hard to beat any team three times,” said Jaguars coach Celeste Stewart. “We really try to focus on the mental part of the game and executing on the court.”

The game started at a slow pace, with multiple turnovers from both teams, but neither capitalized on the mistakes. The Jaguars forced 11 turnovers but managed only four points off them. The first quarter ended in an 8-8 stalemate.

Augusta opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run, taking a 16-8 lead with 6:44 remaining. Quinasia Abercrombie led the charge, scoring six of Augusta’s eight points.

The Jaguars maintained their momentum, heading into halftime with a 24-16 lead. Abercrombie, Augusta’s top scorer, led the way. She entered the game averaging 13.4 points per game in PBC play.

Abercrombie and Amari Jackson each contributed eight points, while Quadaija Langley paced the Bearcats with seven.

Lander came out of halftime applying full-court pressure, opening the third quarter with a quick 4-0 run that cut Augusta’s lead to 24-20 just 30 seconds into the half.

“We knew they were going to turn it up a notch,” said Stewart. “We got stagnant on offense, and they were getting into their spots offensively.”

The Jaguars responded with a 6-2 run, with Abercrombie scoring all six points to extend Augusta’s lead to 30-22 with 5:30 remaining in the third.

Augusta took its largest lead of the night at 11 points when Nyaneit Polk knocked down a 3-pointer to make it 35-24. It was Augusta’s first made three after eight attempts.

Lander answered with a 7-0 run, cutting Augusta’s lead to 35-31 with just over a minute left in the third. Abercrombie came up big again, scoring her 16th point to give Augusta a 37-31 lead heading into the final quarter.

“Quinasia is a competitor,” said Stewart. “With her being a freshman and doing the things that she is, it speaks wonders.”

Lander opened the fourth quarter on another 7-0 run, capped by a Langley 3-pointer, to take a 38-37 lead—its first since the first quarter.

The Bearcats extended their lead to six points at 45-39 with 6:40 remaining, but Augusta clawed back. A key and-1 from Mone Florence cut the deficit to one, 47-46, with 2:24 to play.

Elyse Autrey was sent to the free-throw line and knocked down both shots to tie the game at 49-49 with 1:43 remaining. The Jaguars then forced a shot clock violation, giving them a chance to take the lead.

Autrey missed a go-ahead layup, allowing Lander an opportunity to regain control. With the season on the line, Augusta forced its 25th turnover of the night and had another chance to seal the game. However, after multiple missed attempts, the Jaguars couldn’t convert, sending the game into overtime.

Abercrombie opened the extra period with a layup to put Augusta ahead 51-49. But Lander’s Aliyah Bello answered with a 3-pointer, reclaiming the lead at 52-51.

Trinity Thomas then completed a three-point play for Lander, extending the lead to 55-51. Augusta fought back, with Florence hitting a 3-pointer to bring the Jaguars within three, 63-60, with 10 seconds left.

Lander missed crucial free throws, giving Augusta one last chance to tie. Autrey was fouled on a desperation three-point attempt and sent to the line with the season on the line. She made just one of three free throws, and Augusta’s last-second tip-in attempt missed as the buzzer sounded. Lander escaped with a 63-61 victory.

Abercrombie led the Jaguars with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Quadaija Langley led the Bearcats with 22 points in the matchup.

Lander will face No. 7 seed Georgia Southwestern, which upset No. 2 seed Columbus State 78-77. The semifinals and championship game will be hosted by North Georgia on March 8-9.

As for Augusta, its postseason hopes are uncertain. The Jaguars sit outside the top 10 in the Southeast Regional rankings and need multiple results to go their way to keep their season alive.

“We have a lot of good players, that did a lot of good things,” said Stewart. “We fought through a lot of adversity this year.”

AU’s Je'Bria Fullwood putting up a contested layup versus Lander (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics). Top: AU’s Quinasia Abercrombie drives to the basket versus Lander (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics).

Contact Jaxon Garner at jaxgarner@augusta.edu.