BEAUFORT, SC – Augusta men's basketball came up just short in an 87-83 road loss to USC Beaufort on Saturday afternoon in the regular-season finale. The Jaguars finish the regular season at 19-9 overall and 13-5 in Peach Belt Conference play, while USC Beaufort improves to 19-9 and 11-7 in league action.

Augusta (19-9, 13-5 Peach Belt)
FG% 58.5
3PT% 43.8
FT% 70.0

USC Beaufort (19-9, 11-7 Peach Belt)
FG% 45.6
3PT% 42.9
FT% 59.1

The game was competitive throughout, with six ties and four lead changes. Augusta trailed by just one at halftime, 45-44, but USC Beaufort used a strong second half to hold off the Jaguars' comeback attempts.

Demitri Gardner led Augusta with 26 points on 11-of-19 shooting while adding four rebounds and three assists. Max Amadasun posted a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds, controlling the paint on both ends. John St. Germain III scored 18 points and dished out two assists, while Elias Palsson provided a spark off the bench with 15 points, knocking down five three-pointers.

Augusta shot an efficient 58.5% from the field but struggled with turnovers, committing 16 that led to 21 USC Beaufort points. Despite a strong effort on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 36-30, the Jaguars couldn't overcome late defensive stops by the Sand Sharks.

Next Up: Augusta will host the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. Final brackets will be released on Sunday.