(Story courtesy Augusta University Athletics)
GREENWOOD, S.C.- In a tight ballgame throughout, it was Lander knocking off Augusta 82-80 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Horne Arena in Greenwood. The Jaguars are now 3-5 in Peach Belt Conference play and 8-10 overall. The Bearcats improve to 5-2 in the conference, 10-4 overall.
Augusta was led by Charlie McBeath’s 21 points, but it would not be enough against Lander.
With just over 4:30 left in the game, the Jaguars would grab a three point lead on Elías Pálsson free throw and lay up. McBeath would then score eight straight points and the Jaguars would have a 75-69 lead with just :18 seconds to play. The Bearcats would respond with a three pointer and then, with just :01 left, they would grab an offensive rebound and hit another three pointer to send the game to overtime.
Lander would score the first seven points in the extra session before Pálsson would hit three free throws. That would be followed by a Tobias Prall bucket as the Jags would draw within two points with under 40 seconds to play. Augusta would get two last shots in the final five seconds, but both would be off the mark.
Pálsson added 19 points for AU and Rodney Scott tallied 11.
For the game, Augusta shot 40% from the field while Lander hit on 54% of their shots. The Jags did hold an edge in the rebounding category but Lander outscored AU 36-20 with points in the paint.
The Jaguars return to Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wednesday night when they take on rival USC Aiken on Paint it Blue night. Tip off is at 7:30 p.m.
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