AUGUSTA, Ga. – The GRU Augusta men's basketball team overcame an early eight-point deficit to beat Peach Belt foe Armstrong, 76-62, Wednesday evening in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The victory over the Pirates marked the first time the Jaguars won consecutive games since early December.

The Jags (12-5, 4-3 PBC) got off to a slow start offensively, allowing the Pirates (4-9, 2-5 PBC) to jump out to an 8-0 run in the opening minutes. The Jags went 0-5 from the field until senior guard Devonte Thomas drained a three-pointer from the left wing.  Thomas went on the score the next seven points to tie the game 10-all.

To give the Jags their first lead of the game, freshman forward Vlad Cobzaru split his free throws for a one-point advantage, 14-13.

The Pirates quickly reclaimed a three-point lead, 19-16, off a jumper from guard forward Cole Fountain. At the 4:48 mark, Jags senior forward Devon Wright-Nelson drained a jumper to reclaim the scoring advantage, 22-20.

The Jags were able to hold the close lead and go into the locker room up 30-29. Both teams struggled to score over 40 percent in the first period. The Jags went 36.4 percent from the floor, while the Pirates shot 37.1.

Due in large part to four three-pointers from Thomas, the Jags were able to score 55.6 from beyond the arc in the first half.

Out of intermission, the Pirates claimed an initial two-point advantage behind two free throws from wing player Emmanuel Tiluscar. However, great passing and back-to-back three-pointers from Wright-Nelson and Thomas allowed the Jags to reclaim the lead, 45-36.

Just as the Pirates were able to climb within three, the Jags put there foot back on the gas pedal.  Sophomore guard Keith Crump connected for two and sophomore guard Keshun Sherrill sunk a layup in transition for a 51-44 advantage with a little over 12 minutes remaining. Afterwards, the Pirates never recovered.

At the 2:36 mark Crump found Sherrill open for a three-pointer that would push the score to 62-52. With 1:24 left, Pirates forward Trey Suttles shot a two to cut the deficit to eight. Although, Sherrill drew contact on the following possession, went to the charity strip and knocked down both free throws to virtually put the game out of reach.

The Jags defense held the Pirates to 35.9 percent shooting from the field and a horrendous 8.3 percent from beyond the arc. On the other hand the Jags scored 47.4 percent from the floor, an even 50 percent from downtown and won the rebounding battle 41-35.

Wright-Nelson scored a game-high 21 points, and Thomas finished the night with 18.  Sherrill, the reigning PBC player of the week also scored in double-figures with 17 points.

The Jags tip off a three game road stretch with a Peach Belt battle against Columbus State Saturday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. The remaining road games consist of Young Harris (Jan. 19) and Flagler (Jan.24).

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