From Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – The Georgia Southwestern State University women’s basketball team (8-9, 5-6 PBC) plays an up-tempo, fast-paced brand of basketball. The Jaguars of Augusta University (AU) came into the Storm Dome with the intention of slowing down the fast-paced style of the Lady Hurricanes. They did just that and were able to leave Americus with a 65-56 victory over GSW on Saturday, January 26.

Coming into Saturday’s game, the Lady Hurricanes were averaging 70 percent field goal attempts per game. Against the Jaguars, they put up a season-low 51 shots. AU averages 58 points per game.

GSW jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter, but AU took an 8-6 lead on a three-pointer by Olivia Swanston with 5:23 left in the first quarter. Jamesha Samuel answered with a three-pointer, then converted a three-point play to give GSW a 12-11 lead with 4:16 left in the quarter. The Jaguars’ defense held the Lady Hurricanes to one point and closed out the first quarter with a 16-13 lead.

Samuel hit another three-pointer with four minutes left in the half to tie the game at 25-25. Both teams traded baskets, and the score was tied 27-27 with 2:55 left in the half. Neither team was able to score a point for the rest of the half, keeping the score tied at halftime.

The Lady Hurricanes jumped out of the gate in the third quarter by scoring the first five points of the second half. Lex Chatman hit a three-pointer, followed by a layup by Lele Young. This prompted AU to call a timeout. The Jaguars took a 35-34 lead with 6:16 left in the third quarter, prompting GSW head coach Kelly Britsky to call timeout with three minutes remaining in the quarter.

However, out of the timeout, AU went on a 10-2 run to take a 45-36 lead. GSW was able to cut the score down to six points as the Jaguars went into the fourth quarter up 48-42.

Unfortunately for the Lady Hurricanes, turnovers caused AU to gain a 55-42 lead early in the fourth quarter. GSW was not able to recover and the Lady Jaguars went on to win their third conference victory of the year by the score of 65-56.

Both teams only missed three free throws, but AU shot 90 percent from the foul line while the Lady Hurricanes shot 85 percent. GSW was outrebounded 32-31 by the Jaguars. GSW’s bench outscored the AU bench 31-28.

Both Samuel and Tamecia Blue led the Lady Hurricanes in scoring with 11 points coming off the bench. Samuel also had four rebounds and one blocked shot while Blue tallied two assists and two steals. Chatman chipped in nine points and grabbed five rebounds. Mariya Trimble scored eight points and had a team-high 10 rebounds.

The Jaguars (4-13, 3-8 PBC) were led by Brianna Middleton. Middleton posted a double-double, scoring 16 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and creating two steals.

After back-to-back Peach Belt Conference losses at home, the Lady Hurricanes close out the month of January with a trip to Morrow, GA on Wednesday, January 30, to take on another PBC opponent: The Lady Lakers of Clayton State (11-6, 7-4 PBC). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.