Pacers are red, Jaguars are blue, Augusta got the sweep--times two
By Rodrigo Burgos Avila | Editor in chief
AIKEN, S.C.—The Augusta University men’s and women’s basketball teams made this Valentine’s Day one to remember, sweeping rival USC Aiken in a pair of emotional Peach Belt Conference victories at the Convocation Center.
On the men’s side, Augusta snapped a five-game skid with an 80-74 win that carried added significance. The victory not only delivered a rivalry triumph but also moved coach Dip Metress to within one win of career 600 victories, a milestone that sits well within reach with three games left in the regular season.
In a contest that featured multiple ties and momentum shifts, the Jaguars leaned on a dominant second-half performance to close it out. Augusta (5-12, 10-17) shot 47.5 percent from the field overall and caught fire after halftime, connecting on over 53 percent of its shots in the final 20 minutes while hitting five three-pointers to create separation.
Elías Pálsson led the charge with a career-high 38 points on an uber-efficient 15-of-18 shooting, including 5-6 from beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds and consistently delivered in key moments whenever the Pacers threatened to regain control. Augusta also made its presence felt in transition and in the paint, finishing with 34 points inside and 18 fast-break points.
“Elias was phenomenal and happy for him because he really cares about winning,” Metress said.
The AU coach was gratified to see the Jaguars end their losing streak in what has been a trying campaign.
“In the year I am referring to as a ‘tsunami of injuries,’ it was nice to get a win,” said Metress, referring to the fact that his top two points guards are out for the season and that Evan Joyner missed a good portion of the season with a broken wrist. “Aiken and us both have found ways to lose games, and we were fortunate to get a win today.
“With three games remaining let’s hope we get better, and we will have reference points for next season.”
AU has had a bevy of close games that simply have not gone the Jags’ way.
Now, while the Jaguar men halted their skid in regulation, the women needed overtime and resilience to secure their victory.
After falling behind early, the third-place Augusta women stormed back to defeat USC Aiken 61–53 in overtime. The Jaguars chipped away at a first-quarter deficit through defensive pressure and steady offensive execution, keeping the game within reach heading into the fourth quarter.
With under a minute left in regulation, Amari Jackson knocked down a clutch jumper to give Augusta a late lead before USC Aiken responded to force overtime. In the extra period, however, the Jaguars (12-5, 17-7) took control, opening with a key three-pointer and outscoring the Pacers 10–2 to seal the win.
Quinasia Abercrombie finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jackson added 15 points, nine boards and six blocks in a commanding two-way performance.
Two rivalry games. Two hard-fought wins. And for Augusta, a Valentine’s weekend sweep that could signal momentum at just the right time.
Both Jaguar teams will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 18, when they travel to Morrow to face Clayton State University. The women will tip off at 5:30 p.m., and the men will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Contact Rodrigo Burgos Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.
Quinasia Abercrombie (24) looks up before elevating over the Pacer defense for a layup. At the top of the page, Elías Pálsson (8) drives through the lane in the second half. Palsson established a new career-high with 38 points while shooting an incredible 83 percent from the field. (photos by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)
Quinasia Abercrombie (R) looks for a lane to the basketball against USC Aiken; the Jaguar forward had a double-double with 16 points and 11 boards. (photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics)
