Augusta University splits at Flagler as women pull away, men fall late

By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief

The Augusta University men’s basketball team went toe-to-toe with Flagler for all 40 minutes, but a decisive stretch at the free-throw line late in the second half lifted the Saints to a 72–66 Peach Belt Conference win Saturday afternoon, Jan. 24, at Flagler Gym in St. Augustine, Fla.

The Jaguars and Saints delivered a tightly contested PBC matchup from the opening tip, featuring three ties and four lead changes, with neither team building more than a three-point advantage at any point in the first half. Flagler struck first with a three-pointer, but Augusta quickly settled in behind Evan Joyner, who established himself early by attacking the paint and finishing through contact.

Freshman DaRon Dunbar gave the Jaguars a spark from beyond the arc, knocking down a pair of first-half 3-pointers, while Kyndon Wilburg added another triple as Augusta briefly grabbed momentum midway through the opening period. Flagler answered with perimeter shooting of its own, and despite Augusta shooting 47.8 percent from the floor in the half, the teams went into the locker room deadlocked at 30–30.

Augusta (4-7, 9-12) came out aggressively to open the second half. Luis Nonfon scored on the interior to give the Jaguars the lead, followed by free throws from Elías Pálsson to push AU ahead 33–30. The game remained a one-possession affair for much of the half, as Pálsson connected on three triples overall and Wilburg continued to facilitate and score at the line.

Joyner was nearly automatic offensively, finishing 10-of-14 from the field for a game-high 21 points, while also contributing four rebounds. Nonfon recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds, anchoring Augusta inside. Wilburg added 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds, while Dunbar chipped in nine points on a perfect 3-of-4 shooting performance from beyond the arc.

However, Flagler (6-5, 12-7) gradually created separation in the final eight minutes, relying heavily on trips to the free-throw line. The Saints scored 16 of their 42 second-half points at the stripe and finished the game 21-of-27 from the line, compared to Augusta’s 11-of-17. That disparity proved to be the difference in a contest where both teams shot identically from three-point range (7-of-19).

Pálsson cut the deficit to 65–58 with a late three, keeping Augusta within striking distance, and baskets from Nonfon and Wilburg in the final minute brought energy back to the Jaguars’ bench. But Flagler closed the game by converting free throws down the stretch to seal the six-point victory.

Flagler was led by Mason Manning, who scored 15 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting performance, including 3-of-5 from deep. Rahdir Hicks added 13 points, primarily from the free-throw line, while Melvin Teal provided a key nine points off the bench.

Despite being outrebounded 33–28, Augusta shot 47.1 percent from the floor and held Flagler to 44 percent shooting, while also scoring 20 points in the paint. The Jaguars committed just enough fouls late to allow Flagler to capitalize at the line in a game that otherwise remained evenly matched across nearly every statistical category.

The Jaguars continued to play without three key players in Charlie McBeath (thigh injury), Rodney Scott (out of the season with a broken wrist) and TJ Baker (out for the season with an abdomen injury).

Coach Dip Metress sits just two wins away from reaching the 600-win mark. The Jags will look to help him reach that mark this week as they face USC Beaufort at home and then Georgia Southwestern on the road.

Behind Amari Jackson, AU women win over Flagler

Earlier in the day, the Augusta University women’s basketball team earned a convincing 68–52 Peach Belt Conference road victory over Flagler, using a dominant second quarter and a strong interior presence to pull away inside Flagler Gym.

The Saints set the tone early, holding Augusta to nine first-quarter points and building a five-point lead after the opening 10 minutes. The Jaguars responded emphatically in the second quarter, flipping the game with an explosive run that turned a slow start into a double-digit halftime advantage. Augusta shot efficiently during the period, finding rhythm offensively while stretching the floor with perimeter shooting.

Quinasia Abercrombie fueled the surge from beyond the arc, connecting on four three-pointers on the day, while Amari Jackson controlled the paint on both ends of the floor. Jackson finished with a dominant double-double, posting 20 points and 11 rebounds while shooting nearly 80 percent from the field and protecting the rim with four blocks.

Flagler made a push in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to single digits entering the final period, but Augusta responded with a composed and physical fourth quarter. Jackson continued to impose her presence inside, and the Jaguars closed the game on a 15–7 run to put the contest away.

Elyse Autrey contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Sa’Niah Dorsey added 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers, as Augusta shot over 54 percent from the field and held Flagler to just over 32 percent shooting. The Jaguars also forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 15 points.

The AU women (13-5 overall) are tied with for second place in the Peach Belt USC Beaufort at 8-3. Columbus State is in first place at 9-2.

Both Augusta programs will return to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28, hosting USC Beaufort for Greek Night as conference play continues.

Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.

AU center Luis Nonfon (24) had 10 points and 12 rebounds in the 72-66 loss at Flagler. At the top of the page, Elías Pálsson (8) finished with 12 points in the Peach Belt Conference contest. (photos by Lara Shayeb/the Bell Ringer)

AU point guard Elyse Autrey (21) had 10 points, four assists and four rebounds in the Jaguars’ 68-52 win at Flagler on Saturday, Jan. 24. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)