AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University women's basketball team (11-4, 4-2 PBC) fell to the Lander Bearcats (11-4, 5-1 PBC) 67-61 in a conference matchup on Saturday afternoon. Both teams came into the game with a 4-1 conference record, looking to gain an advantage on the other in conference standings.

Augusta shot 41.3% for the game against 39.4% for the Bearcats, but were plagued by turnovers all day, totaling 27 for the game. Breonna O'Conner led the way scoring for the Jaguars with 18 points. Kariel Hutt posted a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds for the game. 

The Bearcats struck first in the matchup jumping out to a 10-0 lead with excellent court coverage and passing around the basket. They managed to keep the Jaguars scoreless for the first six minutes of the contest, until a layup and a three-pointer by Joshlyn  Belcher got Augusta on the board. The Jaguars managed to close the gap and with a long jumper at the buzzer by Kariel Hutt, Augusta trailed by just one heading into the second period.

The second period began with a 5-0 run that gave the Jaguars an 18-14 lead, their first of the game. That lead would quickly disintegrate with Lander taking advantage of two consecutive turnovers. After another run by the Bearcats, a long three by Tavia Sykes and a layup by Kariel Hutt cut the Bearcats lead to just one with 2:00 left in the half. Despite the efforts of the Jaguars, Lander closed the half with yet another run, leading 28-24 at the half. Although Lander was held to just 36.1% shooting from the floor in the first half, the Jaguars were plagued by their 11 turnovers.

The Jaguars opened the second half with a long three and a breakaway layup by Breonna O'Conner, quickly giving the Jags the lead. The next few minutes saw multiple lead changes as the teams battled physically, with the game ultimately tied heading into the final period. The fourth period began with a 14-2 run by Lander, putting the Jaguars in a sizeable hole to dig out of. A hard drive inside by Kariel Hutt with 5:00 left, making the free-throw to complete the three-point play seemed to give the Jags a little hope late in the half, cutting the lead to seven. A three by Camille Gee with 3:37 seemed to give the Jags a spark, but was quickly answered with a three from Lander.

The Jaguars continued the push towards what would be an incredible comeback with an excellent inside pass to Kariel Hutt, cutting the lead to three with 1:00 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the Jaguars would not be able to regain the lead again, falling to Lander 67-61.

Augusta plays at Armstrong State on Wednesday, Jan. 13 for a Peach Belt Conference game at 5:30 p.m. in Savannah, Ga. The men tipoff against the Armstrong Pirates at 7:30 p.m.

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