Magical Season Comes to an End for Jaguars

Magical Season Comes to an End for Jaguars

AUGUSTA, GA - One of the most successful seasons in school history came to an end on Friday night for the Augusta State University men’s basketball team.

ASU fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament 65-48 to a stronger, quicker Winston-Salem State team. The showdown had been set up after the Jaguars posted a convincing 96-84 first round win over Catawba College. The win over Catawba was the first NCAA Tournament win in school history.

The 2000-2001 season was a magical one for head coach Gary Tuell and the Jaguar basketball team. ASU posted a 21-10 overall record, the school’s first 20-win season since 1978 and its sixth overall. ASU’s appearance in the NCAA Tournament was the school’s first since the 1978 season.

Setting up the tournament berth was a thrilling Peach Belt Conference Tournament title, the first in school history. ASU defeated Clayton State, USC Aiken, and top-seeded Armstrong Atlantic State in the conference tournament to claim the crown. For their efforts, T.J. Ott, Festus Hawkins and Gary Boodnikoff were named to the PBC All-Tournament Team. Boodnikoff was also honored as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Both Hawkins and Boodnikoff also were named to the Peach Belt All-Conference First team.

During the regular season, the Jaguars posted an 11-5 mark in the PBC and in the process notched an unprecedented third straight North Division Championship.