Jags flip the switch to defeat Paine in the Richmond County education game

By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in Chief

Today’s matchup (Dec. 2) against Paine College truly felt like a tale of two halves for Augusta, as the Jaguars overcame a sluggish first 20 minutes to surge ahead for a 73–57 win inside Christenberry Fieldhouse as a part of the annual Richmond County education game.

After trailing 37-28 at halftime, Augusta flipped the switch defensively and dominated the second half 45-20, fueled by tougher on-ball pressure and more disciplined rotations. The Jaguars improve to 4-5, and they hold an undefeated record (3-0) at Christenberry. They played in front of Clint Bryant, the former athletic director whom the court is named for and hundreds of elementary school students.

Charlie McBeath, the 6-foot-5 freshman from Sydney, Australia, was at the heart of that turnaround, delivering one of his most complete performances of the season with a double-double, totaling 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

He admitted afterward that recent losses had left him unsatisfied.

“I haven’t been satisfied with how I’ve been playing,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of hard losses, a couple of games we should’ve won, so I knew I needed to step up and help my team succeed today, especially in front of all these kids. We wanted to put on a show.”

McBeath played with visible confidence, something he attributes in part to Coach Dip Metress’ demanding style.

“If he’s not yelling at you, you’re doing something wrong,” he said. “I know that his anger, his passion, it comes from a good place, so I don’t take it to heart, but I definitely listen to everything he tells me. Most of his reactions come from me doing dumb things, so it’s fair.”

Matias Zanotto, the 6-9 freshman from Argentina, finished the game with eight points and four boards. After the game, he spoke about the role he has played so far this year.

“When coach asks me to do something, I am someone that will do what he is told on the court.,” said Zanotto. “If he wants me to swing the rock, I’ll swing it. If he wants me to position myself somewhere, I will do that. I think this is what has earned me a spot on this team. I think my career in Europe definitely helped me to do that.”

That same international experience, he said, is part of why his game reads the floor well:

“I’m also kind of an old freshman, being 20. I believe that by understanding the game, you don’t have to be as quick—you can be a little slower and just get to your spots.”

Augusta needed that composure after what coach Dip Metress called a “terrible” first half defensively.

“We were getting driven into, we came off people full body, and we gave up open threes. We were awful,” he said.

The response in the second half, though, came from two guards who set the tone at the point of attack.

“I think the difference was that Tobi (Prall) came and guarded the basketball,” Metress said. “He really put heat on the ball, especially at the start of the second half. Rodney (Scott) did too.”

That pressure translated into 23 points off turnovers and 17 second-chance points, helping Augusta seize control en route to a 45-20 advantage in the final 20 minutes.

Elias Palsson continued his efficient scoring with another standout shooting performance with 14 points, while Prall, Scott, and McBeath fueled the defensive surge that helped Augusta outscore Paine by 17 after the break. The Jaguars shot 52 percent in the second half and held Paine to just 27 percent, using energy, effort and defensive presence to close out their fourth game of the season with a convincing win.

The Jags return to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Dec. 3, for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night against Flagler. The game will also serve as the Peach Belt Conference opener.

The Jaguar women, coming off an upset of No. 2 Coker on the road, will play at 5:30 p.m. and the men will follow at 7:30. AU faculty, staff and students will receive free admission with their AU ID.

At the top of the page, Charlie McBeath (5) rises up in transition, throwing down the fast-break jam that swung the momentum AU’s way. Above, Luis Nonfon (24) goes fearless at the rim, elevating for a poster dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. (photos by Rodrigo Burgos Avila/the Bell Ringer)

Charlie McBeath, at right driving here, had an excellent all-around games with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)

AU center Luis Nonfon goes up strong to the basket on a day when he scored 15 points for the Jaguars (4-5). Augusta will host Flagler in the Peach Belt Conference opener on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)