Luis Nonfon drops career high as Jags roll past Converse

By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief

Augusta University never trailed on Tuesday night, Nov. 25, using a dominant start and strong interior play to defeat Converse 78–67 inside Christenberry Fieldhouse on Healthcare Heroes Night.

The Jaguars (3-4) opened the game on a 20–4 run and took a 40–28 lead into halftime, controlling the glass throughout the night and holding Converse (1-3) to 34.6 percent shooting in the opening period.

“We got up 17, and I tried to get some guys some minutes,” said AU coach Dip Metress. “We did not close the first half real well.”

The Jaguars led 40-23 with 1:17 left in the half and looked like they might lead by 20 at the half, but Converse closed the half with five straight points to cut the lead to 40-28 at the intermission.

In the second half, the Valkyries cut the lead to four on several occasions. However, AU pulled away behind the fine inside work of Luis Nonfon, the sophomore from Germany.

Augusta finished with a 41–28 rebounding advantage and turned 13 offensive rebounds into 15 second-chance points. Their work in the paint was powered Luis Nonfon, who delivered a career-high 23 points on 9-for-16 shooting while adding eight rebounds in 31 minutes.

Nonfon credited his success to how Converse defended the interior.

“They play low in the zone, so I was able to get in good position in the paint,” said Nonfon after the game.

Discussing the few missed opportunities at the basket, he simply said the “game keeps going,” adding that he had fun out there and will make those chances next time.

Elias Palsson continued his strong early-season form with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Matias Zanotto added 10 points and four boards, while Rodney Scott contributed nine points, six rebounds, and two assists in a balanced effort from the starting unit.

Charlie McBeath delivered one of the most complete stat lines of the night with eight points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Off the bench, Tobias Prall provided eight points and hit five free throws, and both Camryn Pacheco and TJ Baker played key roles in Augusta’s first-half surge.

Baker played his first minutes of the season today after recovering from a lacerated kidney. Post player Oliver Lucas did not see the floor because of an ankle sprain. His timetable is unknown, although he is likely out two weeks.

The Jaguars shot 42.9 percent from the field and went 25-for-33 at the free-throw line. Converse was led by Jordyn Surratt with 20 points and four rebounds, while Will Fowler added 15. With the win, Augusta improves to 3–4 as they continue preparing for Peach Belt Conference play.

Augusta was much better at the foul line than it had been in the overtime loss at Fayetteville State on Nov. 22. The Jaguars hit 25 of 33 for 77 percent against Anderson after making only 20-of-34 free throws for 58 percent at FSU.

The Jags, who have won three of their last four (and the lone loss was by a single point(, will now hit the road for their next game, traveling to Jefferson City, Tenn., to face No 25 Carson-Newman University on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Eagles (3-1) lost at No. 11 North Georgia 78-75 on Nov. 26.

Notes: Former AU center Max Amadasun is playing for Team Ireland in qualifying play for FIBA EuroBasket 2029. Professionally, Amadasun plays in Spain for Cultural Y Deportiva Leonesa. Ireland play at Luxemburg on Nov. 27. The Irish are in Group A in pre-qualifying along with North Macedonia, Luxemburg and Azerbaijan. Ireland's qualifiers will take place in November, February, March and July.

Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.

At the top of the page, Luis Nonfon (23) attacks the paint for a strong finish during his career night.

At the bottom, point guard Rodney Scott (3) glides for a reverse layup in the second half. (photos by Rodrigo Burgos Avila/the Bell Ringer)