Staff report |
GREENWOOD, S.C.—The Augusta University men's basketball team was crowned Peach Belt Conference regular-season champion after defeating Lander University 87-67 on Saturday, March 2, at Finis Horne Arena.
Deane Williams had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Jaguars (19-3, 23-5) to the school's seventh Peach Belt title after USC Aiken lost to Young Harris on the final day of the regular season. Williams had his 11th double-double of the season.
The victory was Augusta's 10th straight. Last week, the Jags were ranked 25th nationally in the NCAA Division II media poll and were ranked third in the Southeast Region in the coaches' poll. They are likely to move up in both this week.
Williams, a senior from Bristol, England, got plenty of help from his teammates in the win over Lander. Sophomore Troy Cracknell made four three-pointers en route to a 16-point outing, while freshman Miguel Arnold added 15 as he made five treys. Junior post player Rafael Monteiro added 14 points.
The Jaguars shot 52 percent from the field and held Lander to a 35-percent night. Elijah Alston led the Bearcats (11-11, 12-16) with 18 points.
Now AU will host Columbus State (8-14, 13-15) on Wednesday, March 6, at 7 p.m. in a PBC Tournament quarterfinal matchup at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
In the other quarterfinal games, USC Aiken will host Lander; Georgia College will be at UNC Pembroke, and Young Harris will travel to Francis Marion.
The semifinals will be played Friday and Saturday at the home of the highest seeded team still in the field.
AU won its first PBC regular-season crown in 1998-99. Coach Dip Metress, who has been the Augusta coach since 2004, has won the PBC championship six times. The current title is his and his seniors' (Williams, Aaron Byrd and Tyvez Monroe) second conference championship in three seasons.
Earlier on Saturday, the Jaguar women closed out their 2018-19 campaign with a 105-63 loss to second-place Lander. AU finished 6-16 in PBC play and 7-21 overall.
Kaela Patrick ended her career at AU with 17 points, four rebounds and a block and steal. Sophomore Sydney Grayden totaled 12 points and seven boards.
Lander finished second to North Georgia in the PBC women's race.