Box Score Aiken, S.C. – The Augusta University Women's Basketball team defeated/fell to the USC Aiken Pacers today in a conference match up 54-47. The Jags move to 7-12 on the season and drop to 4-7 in Peach Belt action. The Pacers improve to 11-8 overall and now boast a 6-5 mark in conference play.
Aiken's defense was on lockdown early, as the Pacers jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first. Kennedi Manning managed to break through the USC Aiken defense for the first Jag points, dropping in a basket and drawing a foul for the three-point play. Augusta controlled the final two minutes, managing to tie things up at seven headed into the second quarter.
It was a steady back and forth affair in the second period. Despite gaining the lead early, the Jags found themselves behind by the end of the half, with the Pacers taking a narrow 19-16 lead into the locker rooms.
With the third quarter underway, the Jaguars seemed have trouble finding their rhythm. The Pacers added a quick five points to their lead in the first three minutes of the new half. Kiera Howard converted on a three point play in an effort to cut the home squads momentum, but the Jags continued to struggle stringing together points.
Augusta found themselves trailing 34-25 at the start of the fourth quarter. Even with their struggles in the third, the Jaguars kept things close in the final period, bringing the score to within one at 37-36 at the 7:00 mark. 41 second later, Stella Logbognon drew a foul and made one of her free throws to tie the game up at 37.
West drained a deep three at 5:30 to give the Jags their first lead since the second quarter. That lead was short lived however, as USC Aiken bounced right back and took the lead once again.
Both squads traded blows into the final minutes of regulation, with Aiken clinging to a three-point lead. With only a handful of second left on the clock the Pacers managed to push the lead to four, forcing the Jags to foul in order to stay alive. USCA managed to hold on long to secure the win by the final buzzer.
As a team Augusta shot 16-of-56 (28.6%) from the field, making seven three-pointers on 28 tries, and making eight-of-15 free throws.
Leading Augusta on the scoreboard was West, who knocked in 18 points on the night. Howard snagged 7 rebounds to lead the squad.
Asia Harris, Howard, and Logbognon helped out the defense with a pair of steals each, while Manning and Howard also picked up two blocks on the night.
The Jaguars are back in action on Saturday, February 1st, as they return home to host the Columbus State Cougars for Pink Out at 1:30 p.m.
