Jaguars pick up first win of the season behind Pálsson, Nonfon, McBeath

By Nolan Turner | Sports writer

Elías Pálsson had a career-high 27 points, and Luis Nonfon and Charlie McBeath added 14 points each to lead the Augusta University men’s basketball team to an 83-81 win over Barton College on Nov. 15 in Wilson, N.C.

The win was the first of the season for the Jaguars (1-3), and it was clinched when guard Tobias Prall canned a pair of free throws with just one second left in regulation.

The Barton game was a nailbitter all the way. AU led 39-37 at halftime, and then the two teams played a tight second half. In all there were nine lead changes.

Charlie McBeath gave the Jaguars an 81-80 lead with 20 seconds left in regulation. Then the Bulldogs’ Trey Fields hit one-of-two free throws to tie the game with 12 seconds left before Prall was fouled with just a single tick on the clock. Prall’s two free tosses proved the difference.

“The game is never over until the clock hits zero,” said Prall.

The Jags shot 40 percent while the Bulldogs only shot 36 percent from the field.

For Barton, Trevur Smalls had 19 points, Jaylen Faber 15 points and Caleb Reams 13 points.

The previous night, Augusta had lost to Mount Olive by a 99-84 score. Nonfon led the Jags with 20 points, and McBeath added 17. Pálsson and Prall had 15 each.

Mount Olive had some standout performances to defeat the Jags. Raul Perez had 20 points, Jefferson McLamb had 20 points, and Redford Dunton and Matt Kirby both had 14 points.

Coach Dip Metress’s team will host Emmanuel on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse. This is the home opener for the AU men.

Contact Nolan Turner at noturner@augusta.edu

Luis Nonfon (24) had 34 points in two nights as the Jaguars split with Mount Olive and Barton in Wilson, N.C. At the top of the page, Elías Pálsson led the way in the win over Barton with 27 points. The Jaguars will host Emmanuel on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse. (photos by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)