AUGUSTA, Ga –Augusta University women's basketball dropped a tight contest to the visiting Emmanuel College Llions in the final game of the year. The Jaguars move to 8-4 while Emmanuel improves to 5-5. Augusta travels to Georgia College on Wednesday January 4^th for a 5:30pm PBC matchup.


Augusta (8-4)
FG% 45.0
3PT% 0
FT% 55.6
 
Emmanuel (5-5)
FG% 43.4
3PT% 12.5
FT% 66.7
 
Playing without starters Kennedi Manning and Mone Florence, the Augusta offense showed some spark, jumping out to a 16-10 lead with 1:00 left to play in the first quarter. The Lions were able to close that margin, heading to the locker room at halftime with a 30-29 lead.

The second half was a back-and-fourth battle with neither team leading by more than four points. Emmanuel opened a 7 point lead in the final period, but back-to-back layups by Tomiyah Alford put Augusta within striking distance.  
 
With 20 seconds left, Tomiyah Alford forced a turnover and scored a fast-break layup to put Augusta within 1 point. Autumn Phillips would foul and send Emmanuel's Abby Crawford to the free throw line with 13.6 second left on the clock. After missing the second free throw, AU was unable to secure the rebound and was forced to foul Crawford again, falling 64-59 to the visiting Lions.

Tomiyah Alford paced AU with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Je'Bria Fullwood and Yamani Paul each carded 12 points. Kiera Howard has 9 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.

The Jaguars return to Peach Belt Conference play with a game against Georgia College on Jan. 4 at 5:30pm. Live video and stats can be found at www.augustajags.com

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.AugustaJags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags