Sixth-ranked Jaguars edge Georgia Southwestern, 66-60

By Madison Keel | Sports writer

The No. 6 Augusta University Jaguars picked up a key road win with a 66-60 Peach Belt Conference victory over Georgia Southwestern at the Storm Dorm in Americus on Jan. 18.

The league-leading Jaguars (7-0, 16-1) won for the 11th straight time this season and the 35th time in 37 games over two season.

Tyshaun Crawford led the way for AU with 22 points. Miguel Arnold added 17 points, and Ja’Queze Kirby chipped in 14.

Brian Tolefree led the Hurricanes (2-5, 8-7) with 14 points.

Crawford was recently named to the Bevo Francis top 100 list. At the end of the season, the Bevo Francis Award goes to the top player in the divisions below NCAA Division I, including NCAA Division II and III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA.

The Jaguars were 14 of 22 from the foul line, which caused a bit of concern for AU Coach Dip Metress.

“We shot uncharacteristically bad from the free throw line and did not make many of our open 3-pointers, and yetwe were able to find a way to win,” Metress said. “I am proud of our guys’ focus when things got tough down the stretch.”

The first half wrapped up with the Jaguars tied with GA Southwestern at 28 points.

The Jaguars were able to begin pulling away in the second half, although the Hurricanes stayed close on their trail. Crawford was a shining star in this game, also being the rebound leader with nine, followed closely by Kirby with eight. AU managed 38 points in the second half.

The GSW women, first place in the PBC, claimed a 51-47 over AU in the opener. Autumn Phillips led the Jaguars (4-3, 11-6) with 14 points. Jacquelyn Levay paced the 10th-ranked Hurricanes (7-0, 15-1) with 16 points. GSW won for the 12th straight time.

Augusta fought hard, going into the halftime down only one possession with the score being 26-23. Phillips led the free throw effort going a perfect 4 of 4 from the line.

In the second half, AU continued to grapple for the win. In the fourth quarter they had their highest field goal percentage at 31.58 percent. Kennedi Manning added 11 points and nine rebounds. Augusta was overall 16 of 62 on field goal attempts, compared to GSW’s 17 of 56.

Next up for the Jaguars will be home dates against Flagler on Saturday, Jan. 21.

“Flagler leads our conference in 3-point shooting percentage, and their offensive numbers are phenomenal,” Metress said of the Saints’ men. “We need to be prepared to carry a hand on all shooters and not fall into a trap of trying to out-shoot or outscore them.”

The women tip off at 1:30 p.m., followed by the men at 3:30. At halftime of the women’s game, AU will celebrate 50 years of Title IX.

The university will honor the three all-time leading scorers in Augusta women's basketball history: Lawanna Monday (2,143 points), Debbie Born (1866 points) and Beth Mckie (1,836 points). All three have had their jersey retired.

Tyshaun Crawford had 22 points and nine boards to pace the Jaguars in their road win over Georgia Southwestern. At the top of the page, Miguel Arnold tossed in 17 for the sixth-ranked Jags. (photos by Madison Keel)