Myers joins 1,000-point club as Jaguars race past rival Pacers on road, 69-60
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
AIKEN, S.C.—Augusta University men’s basketball team defeated conference rival USC Aiken 69-60 on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at USC Aiken Convocation Center.
The No. 12-ranked Jaguars (12-3, 22-3) extended their winning streak to nine games, with five of nine wins being on the road.
“You go on the road, you don’t want turnovers,” said AU Coach Dip Metress. “We didn’t turn it over but four times in the second half, and you want to make your free throws. It was a good team win. We got into a good little spurt to start the second half, and that separated us.”
Tyshaun Crawford led the Jaguars with 25 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 7 of 9 from the field and 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. His proficiency at the foul line has made it a liability for opponents to now Hack-a-Shaw the AU center.
Tyree Myers finished with 12 points in the game for the Jaguars, scoring his 1,000-career point at AU. Myers became the 34th Jaguar to reach this milestone.
In the first half, USC Aiken got out to a 19-11 lead, but the Jaguars would go on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 19-19.
Tehree Horn hit a 3-pointer to give the Pacers the 33-32 lead and the momentum going into the second half.
The Jaguars took the lead early in the second half, going on a 9-2 run early and giving them the 41-35 lead.
With 7:49 remaining in the game, Jalen McCoy brought the Pacers back within one, hitting a mid-range jumper and putting the score at 53-52. AU would go on another 7-0 run and would not look back.
AU shot 33 percent from the field in the second half, but dominated from the free throw line, shooting 14 of 17. Crawford led them the second half with 13 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9 of 10 from the line.
“I just have to stay consistent,” said Crawford. “When the shot is not falling for them, I have to make sure I’m around the rim to get those putbacks. I went 11 of 13 from the line, so I think that was good, me getting to the line and knocking the shots down.”
Metress also commented on Crawford’s outstanding performance.
“He did a great job,” he said. “One thing he doesn’t get credit for is his passing. He found some people for layups and made his free throws. He was a force out there.”
The Jaguars are sitting in second place in the Peach Belt Conference, a game behind first-place Flagler (13-2, 20-4) with three regular-season games remaining.
The last time the Jaguars played Flagler, they lost 79-66 in St. Augustine, Fla. AU will look to get the win against No. 21 Flagler this Saturday (Feb. 19) at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
This also becomes a regional showdown, as Flagler is ranked first in the Southeast Region and AU is ranked second.
Tyshaun Crawford (0) had a dominant night for the Jaguars with 25 points and 15 boards. At the top of the page, Tyree Myers (2) drives for a floater that resulted in a basket on a night when he joined AU’s 1,000-point club for career scoring. Teammates Crawford and Troy Cracknell (12) watch. (photos by Chris Rickerson)
