Augusta, Ga. – The Augusta University Women's Basketball team dropped a non-conference game to the Queens Royals 67-61 in the 2019-20 home opener. The Jaguars are now 1-2 on the season, while the Royals move to 1-3 overall.

The Jags trailed Queens 14-8 after one quarter of play. The game remained scoreless through the first minute and a half of play, until queens found the bucket at the 8:20 mark. The royals put on an offensive run, as Augusta found themselves down 7-0. Jaelyn Autman put the Jaguars on the board, putting a jumper up and in for Augusta's first score at 3:42. Less than a minute later, Stella Logbognon put in a quick layup to cut the deficit to three. Queens would add some insurance, going up 12-4 with less than two minutes to go in the first. The Royals held the Jags to four more points for the quarter.

The second quarter saw Augusta turn on the heat, outscoring the visitors 21-13. The Royals opened the scoring with a three point basket, but Zaira West answered back quickly with a three-pointer of her own at 8:04. Crystal Corely cut the Royals lead back down to four with a quick jumper at 7:10 and a free throw made a few plays later made it a one possession game. At 5:25 Autman threw down a jumper bringing Augusta to within one point at 19-18. The crowd could feel the shift in momentum as the stands erupted into cheers when Kennedi Manning dropped in a basket to take the lead 20-19. The Jaguars surrendered the lead momentarily only a short bit after taking it, but Autman once again came through with a basket to regain the lead and keep it for the remained of the half. Queens would make a basket with only 35 seconds in the half, but the Jags took a 29-27 lead into the break.

As the third quarter got underway, Augusta wasted little time getting back into the action. Kiera Howard dropped in a jump-shot only 38 seconds into the half to make it a 31-27 game. The Jags continued to build on their lead, stay no less than six points ahead of the opposition throughout most of the third. A late run by the Royals, saw the lead in trouble, but the home team was able to hold off Queens long enough to take a 50-46 advantage into the fourth quarter.

The Royals rode their momentum form the third into the fourth, as Queens opened the scoring with a three point shot at 9:41, cutting the lead to one. It would be a neck-and-neck battle between both squads from that point on. The visitor took the lead back for the first time since the second quarter with a layup at 8:20, but Autman answered right back with a jump shot 21 seconds later. Neither team could find the bucket for the next few minutes, until Queens drained a shot at 4:18 to take a 53-52 lead. Lest than a minute later, West found the basket for two to give Augusta the lead once again and Kennedi Manning dropped a shot in to make it a 56-54 lead after Queens managed a free throw to tie it. As the game moved past the two minute mark, Queens retook the lead, gaining some extra insurance at the 1:20 mark with a quick jumper to make it a four point game. It was then up to the Royals to play keep away, as the Jags had no choice but to start fouling to keep their chances alive. The Royals made both of their free-throws off the foul to make it 64-58 with only 32 seconds left to play. Howard sunk a three-point field goal to give the Jags some light with under 30 seconds to play, but the Royals stifled any chances of a comeback by knocking down three free throws in the final seconds to close out the contest 67-61.

Manning and Autman had impressive individual performances on the afternoon, each picking up double doubles in the outing. Manning led the team in both points and rebounds, amassing 12 of each. Autman picked up 10 points and ten rebounds, good for second in both categories.

As a team Augusta shot 24 of 72 from the field, and had a 75% free throw percentage. Queens managed to shoot 22 of 56 from the field, with a 67.9% free throw percentage.

The Jaguars return to action on Saturday, November 23^rd, when Clark Atlanta comes to town for a match-up at 1:30 p.m.