AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State will play host to the first intercollegiate basketball game in downtown Augusta in 17 years when the Jaguars take on Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, Dec. 19 in James Brown Arena.
Billed as "Jam The JBA", the contest will tip off at 6:00 p.m. and feature two of the nation's top college basketball programs. The No. 21 Jaguars (4-0) cracked the national rankings for the first time this season on Tuesday, Dec. 4. ASU last played in the JBA (formerly the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center) on Dec. 16, 1995, defeating Paine College 80-64 in the City Classic.
Lincoln Memorial, located in Harrogate, Tenn., near the Kentucky-Virginia border, is 6-0 and currently ranked No. 11. The Railsplitters, who have two games remaining before heading to Augusta, were 26-6 a season ago and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Southeast Regional.
The change in venue was precipitated by ASU hosting its final graduation as Augusta State University in Christenberry Fieldhouse on Thursday, Dec. 20.
Several special promotions are planned around the contest. University officials, during a halftime ceremony, will recognize outgoing Augusta-Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength – an Augusta College alum -- for his many years of service to the community.
The Jaguar Club will host pre-game and post-game receptions inside the JBA. Over 400 ASU graduates and their families will be guests of ASU Athletics that evening and will have special reserved seating. In addition, fans who donate an unwrapped gift will receive free admission (one gift per person). The Jaguar Men's Basketball team will present those gifts to patients of the Georgia Health Sciences Children's Medical Center prior to Christmas.
All general admission tickets will be available for $7 at the JBA box office. Tickets for military personnel and their families, as well as large groups, will be on sale for $5. Jaguar Basketball season tickets will be honored while all ASU and GHSU faculty, staff and students will be admitted free with a valid ASU or GHSU ID. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Champions Box Office at the James Brown Arena and online at www.georgialinatix.com.
The Jags open Peach Belt Conference play vs. Lander on Saturday, Dec. 8 in Greenwood, S.C., at 3:30 p.m., in Horne Arena.