AUGUSTA, Ga.  – In front of a roaring crowd of fifth-graders, the No. 23 ranked GRU Augusta men's basketball team claimed its first Peach Belt Conference game of the season against Georgia Southwestern, 78-58, Thursday afternoon in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Over 2,000 fifth-graders from the Richmond County School System were in attendance for the Jags' PBC opener, for the inaugural Education Day, a special filed-trip centered on educational excellence.

After moving up two spots in the most recent National Association of Basketball Coaches poll, No. 23 GRU was able to pull away late in the second half for the victory against GSW.

The PBC contest was evenly matched through the majority of the afternoon. GSW fired first with a three-pointer from guard Deric Rudolph. GRU guard Devonte Thomas responded quickly with his own three-pointer. Forward Devon Wright-Nelson was able to get to the free throw line and give GRU a lead they wouldn't relinquish until late in the second half.

The Hurricanes remained within one point of tying the score, before a fast-break layup from guard D'Angelo Boyce sparked an 8-0 run at the 10:28 mark. With less than five minutes in the first period, GSW closed the gap to four. However, Thomas drained another trey to give GRU its first double-digit led of the match, 35-24. As the shot clock expired, GSW canned a three to end the first half down by eight.

In the second half the Canes continued to chip away at the GRU lead. At the 8:48 mark, GSW guard Josh Birchfield stole a pass for a dunk on back-to-back possessions to take the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.

Late in the second period GRU guard Keshun Sherrill committed his fourth foul and Boyce subbed in for Sherrill and helped GRU secure the win. Boyce sunk a layup and a shot from downtown to ignite a 16-0 run that put the game out of reach.

Offensively, GRU shot 48.1 percent from the floor and three players finish in double figures.  Thomas paced the team with 17, while Wright-Nelson and Boyce added 11. GRU outrebounded the Canes 35-28 and had 24 points in the paint to GSW's 16.

The Jags return to Christenberry Fieldhouse this Saturday, Dec. 20, when they host the Montevallo Falcons at 3:30 p.m., following the women's 1:30 p.m. game.

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