Georgia Southwestern hands Jaguar women first PBC loss

Georgia Southwestern hands Jaguar women first PBC loss

By Danielle Kennedy | Sports editor

The Augusta University women’s basketball team lost 59-54 to Georgia Southwestern University for its first loss in Peach Belt Conference play this season on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

“Celeste (Stewart) does a great job here at AU,” GSW coach Missy Tiber said afterwards. “AU is a great basketball team, so we’re thankful to come here and win because we knew we were going into a dogfight.”

The first quarter opened with a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Elyse Autrey, giving AU the early lead. The Jaguars built the lead to 19-11 by the end of the quarter.

Sa’Niah Dorsey, a freshman guard, had a deep 3-pointer in the quarter. Autrey and Cierra McGinlay also had key baskets in the first period.

The Hurricanes dominated the second quarter. They outscored the Jaguars 17-6, and GSW ended the first half ahead 28-25.

“If you look at the second and fourth quarters, we really guarded them,” Tiber said. “We got stops and rebounds, and then we just made some plays.”

After halftime, the Jaguars were able to bounce back, scoring 16 points in the third quarter to build a 41-36 lead.

But the fourth quarter dominated the fourth quarter. AU had a 3-pointer from Camerah Langston early in the fourth. However, the visitors outscored AU 23-13 in the last period to pull away.

The Hurricanes (2-0, 6-2) were led by guard Ray’ven Robinson with 19 points, and Shane Jackson added 13 points.

The Jaguars (1-1, 5-2) were led by Autry with 14 points, and Quinasia Abercrombie added 13.

“We’re a team that typically doesn’t win scoring under 70,” said Tiber. “We like to get up near 70. So that’s what I like about our team today. We were just gritty and found a way to win. If it was by 59 points, then we’re going to win with 59 points.”

Jaguar men blow out the Hurricanes, 84-55

Luis Nonfon had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the AU men to an 84-55 win over Georgia Southwestern in the second game of the doubleheader at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Matias Zanotto chipped in 16 points and six boards, and Tobias Prall added 14 points for the Jaguars (2-0, 6-5).

AU built a 41-21 halftime and never looked back. The Jaguars shot 51 percent and held the Hurricanes to a 35-percent night.

Augusta won the board battle 38-30.

Both Jaguar teams will play at USC Beaufort on Wednesday, Dec. 10, The women open at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30. The Jaguars will host Georgia College on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Contact Danielle Kennedy at dakennedy@augusta.edu.

Quinasia Abercrombie (24) had 13 points for AU in the 59-54 loss to Georgia Southwestern at Christenberry Fieldhouse. At the top of the page, Elyse Autry led the Jaguars with 14 points in their first PBC loss of the season. (photos by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)

Luis Nonfon, getting a layup here, led all scorers with 18 points in AU’s 84-55 win over Georgia Southwestern in Peach Belt Conference action. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)

Tobias Prall (2) totaled 14 points, four rebounds and three steals in AU’s victory over the Hurricanes of Southwestern Georgia. (photo by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)

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