WILSON, N.C. – Augusta University women's basketball overcame a slow start and pulled away in the second half for a 71-51 victory over North Greenville on Saturday afternoon at Wilson Gymnasium. The Jaguars outscored North Greenville 27-11 in the fourth quarter to earn their second consecutive win and improve to 2-0 on the season.
Chloe Ross provided a spark off the bench, scoring a career-high 22 points on 10-of-13 shooting while adding six rebounds. Quinasia Abercrombie recorded her second double-double in as many games, finishing with 13 points, 14 rebounds and three steals. Trinity Thomas added eight points and seven rebounds, while Sierra Burns and Cierra McGinlay contributed seven points apiece.
North Greenville had the early advantage, using a 12-0 run to take a 12-4 lead midway through the opening quarter. Augusta struggled to find its offensive rhythm, shooting just 19 percent from the field in the period as the Jaguars trailed 15-8 after 10 minutes.
The offense began to settle in during the second quarter. McGinlay knocked down a three-pointer to cut the deficit to five, and Ross followed with a second-chance basket to bring Augusta within three. After North Greenville pushed its lead back to six, the Jaguars began to take control.
Abercrombie scored on consecutive possessions before Zahkiyyah Frazier came up with a steal and fast-break layup to tie the game at 23-23. Another basket from Abercrombie gave Augusta its first lead since the opening minutes. Burns added two free throws, and McGinlay connected on a jumper as the Jaguars closed the half on a 13-0 run to take a 30-23 lead into the break.
Augusta maintained its advantage through much of the third quarter, but North Greenville refused to go away. The Trailblazers chipped away at the deficit, eventually tying the game at 38-38 with just over three minutes remaining. The Jaguars responded to regain the lead and entered the final period ahead 44-40.
The fourth quarter belonged to Augusta. Ross scored six of the Jaguars' first eight points in the period, helping stretch the lead to 52-45. The Jaguars continued to attack the basket, with Ross adding three more field goals during a stretch that pushed the advantage to 62-47 with just over three minutes remaining.
Burns followed with a fast-break layup and later connected from beyond the arc as Augusta extended its lead to 18. Anaya Beard added a second-chance basket in the final minute, and Thomas scored on a putback in the closing seconds to complete the 20-point victory.
Augusta shot 43.8 percent from the field and dominated inside, outscoring North Greenville 58-22 in the paint. The Jaguars also held a 49-34 rebounding advantage, scored 24 points off 17 turnovers and received 35 points from their bench.
Maliyiah Mason and Isabel Waite led North Greenville with 12 points each, while Amiyah Clark-Lamelle added 10. The Trailblazers fell to 0-2 with the loss.
Next Up: Augusta concludes its weekend at the Southeast Region Crossover on Sunday, Nov. 15, against host Barton College. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Wilson Gymnasium in Wilson, North Carolina. The Jaguars will then return home for their home opener against Emmanuel University on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 5 p.m. inside Christenberry Fieldhouse.
