AU women fall in first round of PBC hoops tourney; Howard named all-PBC
By Chris Rickerson | Sports editor
The Augusta University women’s basketball team’s season came to an end after losing to Columbus State 60-57 in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference tournament on Wednesday, March 2.
The Jaguars finished the season with a 15-13 record. In the regular season, they won against the Cougars in the first game of their matchup due to forfeit but lost the second game 74-70.
Later, AU point guard Kiera Howard was named third team all-Peach Belt Conference.
Wednesday’s game was tight early 13-13, but the Cougars ended the first quarter on a 7-0 run and led 20-13.
Both teams struggled in the second quarter with Columbus State shooting 4 of 16 from the field and Augusta finishing 5 of 14. The Cougars led 31-24 at the half.
Even though the Cougars continued to struggle from the field, especially from the 3-point-line, shooting 1 of 7 in the third quarter, they extended their lead to 46-37.
Augusta didn’t go down without a fight in the fourth quarter, starting out on a 7-2 run. With 2:57 left in the game, Zairya West made a 3-pointer to cut the Cougars lead to 54-51. The Jaguars shot much better in the fourth, going 9 of 17 from the field.
The game was even brought to within two points after a layup from AU’s Autumn Phillips, but there wereonly five seconds remaining in the game. It would be too late of a run, as the Cougars would hold on.
Amber Abusbeih, Chrisalyn Boston and Imani Arnold all led in scoring for the Cougars with 13 points. Boston finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds in the win.
November Morton led the Jaguars to in scoring with 15 points, shooting 6-for-8 from the field and 3-for-5 from three. Howard and West added 10 points each.
Four-seeded Columbus State (17-12) will now move on to face one-seeded North Georgia (23-3) on Saturday, March 5, in Dahlonega,. Tip-off will be at 1 p.m. Lander (22-3) will play Clayton State (15-12) in the other semifinal. The winners will advance to the championship game to be played on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Kiera Howard had 10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in her AU finale. At the top of the page, November Morton (passing the ball) led the way for AU with 15 points. (photos by AU Athletics)
