COCHRAN, Ga. – In what turned out to be a defensive battle, the Augusta University women knocked off Middle Georgia 53-47 in the first ever meeting between the two teams. With the victory, the Jaguars improve to 4-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 8-4 overall. The Knights are now 3-3 in conference action and 10-3 overall.
In coach Celeste Stewart”s 100th game as head coach of AU, the Jaguars hit six free throws in the final two minutes for the winning margin.
Quinasia Abercrombie led all scorers with 17 points and four rebounds while Sierra Burns added 13 points in the winning effort.
The Jaguar defense held the Knights to just 33% shooting and out rebounded Middle Georgia by five.
The game was tied at 18 at the half before Augusta would surge to a three point lead by pouring 21 bounds in the third quarter. The fourth quarter would see both teams go back-and-forth before the Jags would grab the victory.
Midway through the final quarter, the Knights would grab a 44-43 lead, but it would not last long. A Burns three pointer would give AU the lead. Then, tied at 47, Augusta rattled off the final points from the free throw line with Elyse Autrey, Abercrombie and Burns all making their shots from the line. Autrey would finish with eight points for the game.
For the game, the Jaguars hit on 16 of 26 from the charity stripe while the Knights were just 7 of 21.
Nadiyah Byard grabbed 12 rebounds to lead AU.
The Jaguars will next be in action Wednesday night when they host Clayton State at 5:30 p.m.
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