Jaguars claim first Peach Belt title since 1993 with gritty win over Georgia College
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
History was made on Sunday, March 8, as the Augusta University women’s basketball team captured the Peach Belt Conference Championship for the first time in more than three decades, defeating the Georgia College Bobcats 61–56 at the Lumpkin Center in Columbus.
The victory marks Augusta’s first conference tournament title since 1993, ending a 33-year wait and sending the Jaguars into celebration as they secured the Peach Belt’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Tournament.
From the opening tip, Augusta established the defensive identity that has defined the team all season. The Jaguars forced turnovers, disrupted passing lanes and turned defense into offense, finishing the game with 13 steals.
Sa’Niah Dorsey led the defensive effort with six steals, repeatedly creating havoc for Georgia College’s offense and igniting key possessions for Augusta throughout the game.
Quinasia Abercrombie (24) protects the ball as she drives to the basket. Abercrombie finished with 19 points as she led the Jags to their first PBC Championship since 1993. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
Augusta controlled much of the contest, leading for more than 36 minutes and building a lead as large as 18 points. The Jaguars shot 42.9 percent from the field and held Georgia College to just 39.2 percent shooting.
Quinasia Abercrombie led the Jaguars offensively with 19 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting performance while also adding five rebounds. Abercrombie’s dominant performance capped off an outstanding tournament run that earned her Peach Belt Conference Tournament most valuable player honors.
Amari Jackson contributed 13 points and five rebounds, providing key scoring inside. Elyse Autrey added eight points, while Sierra Burns and Camerah Langston each chipped in seven and six points respectively.
Georgia College attempted to rally late, cutting the deficit to one point with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Augusta responded with composure, knocking down crucial free throws and defensive stops to seal the historic victory.
The Bobcats were led by Natalia Bolden and Caroline Beavin, who finished with 16 and 15 points, respectively.
The championship run caps a remarkable stretch for the Jaguars, who earlier in the tournament also stunned top-seeded Columbus State to reach the title game.
Several players from both teams were also recognized for their performances throughout the tournament. Augusta’s Elyse Autrey, Amari Jackson and Quinasia Abercrombie were named to the Peach Belt Conference All-Tournament Team. Georgia College’s Beavin and Bolden also earned All-Tournament honors after leading the Bobcats throughout the championship run.
For Augusta, the moment was more than just a win. It was history restored after more than three decades without a conference title.
Coach Celeste Stewart reflected on the significance of the moment and the journey her team took to reach it.
“It’s unbelievable,” Stewart said. “ We’ve had so much support. Our girls, they work hard and they trust the process. It’s important to keep pushing. We were able to get over that threshold this year. I’m super excited.”
With the conference championship secured, the Jaguars now turn their attention to the NCAA Division II postseason. Augusta earned the No. 7 seed in the Southeast Regional and will face No. 2 seed Lenoir Rhyne Bears on March 13 in Harrogate, T.n. The Bears enter the tournament with a 24-5 record and were ranked No. 15 in the most recent Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) national poll. Lenoir Rhye is coming off an upset loss against Anderson University in the South Atlantic Conference tournament quartefinals.
While the matchup present a tough challenge, Augusta carries significant momentum into the regional after its historic Peach Belt Conference title run.
Abercrombie said the team’s focus now turns to continuing the work that brought them this far.
“Continue to grind,” Abercrombie said. “Coach talked a lot about just getting in the gym. So we will get in the gym and keep pushing.”
The Jaguars have already proven that they can rise to the moment, defeating then No. 2 nationally ranked Coker University earlier in the season. Coker will also be participating in the Southeast regional as the No. 3 seed.
With confidence, defensive intensity and belief on their side, Augusta now heads to the NCAA Tournament ready to embrace the opportunity and continue its remarkable postseason run.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Coach Stewart (right) celebrates with the team as she holds the PBC Tournament champions shirt. At the top of the page, the Jaguars pose for a team picture after their historic win. From left to right (standing up), Camerah Langston, Quinasia Abercrombie, Renwick Lee, Amari Jackson, Nadiyah Byard, Chloe Ross, Amorie Strachan. Santianna Davy, Des’Teyn Seaton, Rhianna Mateyka, Mone Florence and Kaela Patrick. Below them are (kneeling from left to right): Sa’Niah Dorsey, Sierra Burns, Celeste Stewart, Elyse Autrey, Cierra McGinlay and Tamir Whittle. (photos by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
