Columbus State downs Jaguars; AU women lose at Belmont Abbey

Staff report

Elias Palsson had 27 points and Toby Prall 17, but it wasn’t enough as the AU men’s basketball team lost 80-71 at Columbus State on Saturday, Dec. 20.

The Jaguars dropped to 2-3 in the Peach Belt Conference and 7-8 overall.

Luis Nonfon added 11 points and six rebounds for Augusta.

The Cougars (3-2, 9-4) were led by Marlon Smith with 27 points. Lee Langstaff II added 16 points for Columbus.

CSU led 40-32 at halftime, and the Jaguars were unable to mount enough of a rally in the second half. The Jags cut the lead to five on five occasions, but that was close as they got to the Cougars.

Belmont Abbey women defeat AU, 68-59

The AU women dropped a tough road game at one-loss Belmont Abbey 68-59, also on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Guard Elyse Autrey had 20 points and Quinasia Abercrombie added 13 for the Jaguars, who dropped to 6-4 overall.

Riley James led Belmont with 18 points. The Crusaders, who used a 23-7 third quarter to build a 23-points lead, are 9-1.

The Jaguar women will host Anderson University on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m.

Both AU teams will return to Peach Belt action on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Middle Georgia.

AU’s Luis Nonfon had 11 points and six rebounds in the 80-71 loss at Columbus State. At the top of the page, Elias Palsson was the Jaguars’ leading scorer with 27 points. He also had six rebounds. (photos by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)