Jaguars move to 3-2 on the young season in non-conference road loss

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Senior Kariel Hutt pushed her streak of consecutive games with a double-double to 11 as the Jaguars fell 69-55 in non-conference road action on Tuesday night against Fort Valley State University.

The Jaguars (3-2) owned the first half over Fort Valley State (1-4), but 24 turnovers and a 29.0 field-goal percentage hindered Augusta offensively. 

Senior Kariel Hutt posted 11 points and 14 rebounds and she started the scoring on the night with a layup off a Kayla Lovett assist. Hutt added three blocks and two steals, while sophomore Joshlyn Belcher posted 11 points as well and junior Breonna O'Conner 10. Senior Camille Gee scored nine with five boards and freshman Mallory Myers chipped in five rebounds, four points, and four assists.

Each team matched 53 rebounds and the Jags owned the free-throw line – shooting 55.2 percent to FVSU's 45.5 percent. Neither team produced much from deep, with the Jags shooting 3-of-13 (23.1 percent) and the Wildcats 5-of-18 (27.8 percent).

The Wildcats took a four-point lead in the first quarter, but Augusta used an 8-0 run to end the first 10 minutes on top 11-7.

FVSU's Katice Williams tied the game at 16-all with 5:36 to go in the first half. Jags sophomore Joshlyn Belcher sunk back-to-back buckets to give the lead back to Augusta. It didn't last long as Jayme Gilbert hit a FVSU three pointer. Under a minute, Belcher made a layup and sophomore Tavia Sykes found senior Samantha Carlson for a good basket in the paint to give Augusta a 26-23 lead at the half.

Jaguar junior Breonna O'Conner connected on a three-point shot to keep Augusta ahead to open the second half. Offensive turnovers helped the Wildcats back into the second half as the Jags had seven more than FVSU with five minutes to go in the game.

Gilbert hit her fourth three ball with 4:13 remaining to boost FVSU to a 62-51 lead. Augusta ran out of time and fell 69-55 down the stretch.

Augusta hosts West Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 28 for a 2:00 p.m. non-conference game in Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jags welcome Clark Atlanta on Monday, Nov. 30 for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference game in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

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