AUGUSTA, Ga. – The No. 15 Augusta men's basketball team dropped a 95-85 contest to rival USC Aiken. The Jaguars are now 20-5, 11-4 PBC while the Pacers improve to 18-7, 11-4 PBC. In a game that the Augusta community has come to look forward to, fans tossed new stuffed animals onto the court after Augusta's first made field goal of the night. All of the stuffed animals will be donated to local charities.
Augusta (20-5, 11-4 PBC)
FG% 41.8
3PT% 36.8
FT% 82.1
USC Aiken (18-7, 11-4)
FG% 56.1
3PT% 46.2
FT% 83.3
Miguel Arnold scored 37 points in the game, a new career-high for the experienced senior. Arnold added 4 steals on the day and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the three point line.
Tyshaun Crawford was the only other Augusta player in double-figures, scoring 16 points and grabbing a team-high six rebounds.
USC Aiken was led by Tehree Horn and Jalen McCoy. Horn scored 29 points and McCoy has 28 in the cross-town rivalry match.
USC Aiken jumped out to an early 8—2 lead, forcing fans to wait almost a full five minutes before tossing their stuffed animals on the court. Augusta worked its way back into the game, staying within two points for the majority of the half.
Miguel Arnold scored 7 straight points to tie the game at 31.
USC Aiken would finish the final five minutes of the half on a huge 16-2 run for a 47-35 lead at halftime. Augusta took its first lead of the game off a 16-4 run that put the score at 66-64 with just over 8 minutes left to play. USC Aiken answered with a 13-0 run of their own that sealed the 95-85 win for the visiting team.
Au will play its final home game of the regular season on Saturday Feb 25
th against Clayton State. Before the game, Augusta will celebrate its seniors for Senior Day and halftime will be dedicated to the crowning of the Augusta homecoming court.
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