AUGUSTA, Ga. – Junior Ryan Weems sealed the win with four seconds left on Saturday, when he slammed home a wide open dunk in the 74-56 Augusta State victory over Armstrong Atlantic State. ASU scored first in the Peach Belt Conference contest and remained ahead of Armstrong in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The victory enhanced ASU's record to 4-1 in conference play and 8-3 overall. The loss put the Pirates at 4-2 in the PBC and 8-5 overall.
The Jags put up an early 11-4 lead into the first media timeout. Roman Hill struck first with a layup and Harold Doby added two field goals to increase the ASU lead to as much as 11 before the half's whistle. Doby finished the day with his fourth double-double, adding a team-leading 18 points and 13 rebounds. Weems and Devonte Thomas each had 15 points.
With three minutes left in the first half, sophomore D'Angelo Boyce was forced to the basket and sunk a windmill-layup to put the Jags up 33-24. ASU forced a turnover on the next Pirate possession that lead to an open layup from Thomas.
The Jags took the half 37-24, shooting 50 percent from the floor and scoring 19 off the bench. Thomas finished the half with 13 points, hitting three treys, and knocking down 5-9 from the field, while Ryan Weems and Boyce each added six in the first.
The Jags went up by 17 after the second half whistle when Travis Keels and Doby both hit layups. Armstrong answered on baskets from Aric Miller and Kenny Bellinger II, bringing the game back to 44-49 for their closest effort since the opening whistle. Two Doby layups and a couple of offensive boards stretched the lead back to an 11 point ASU advantage.
Doby came alive in the second half scoring 14 points and bringing down 10 boards.
Miller of Armstrong posted a game-high 27 points. ASU had 48 points in the paint and outscored the Pirate bench by 20. ASU shot 48 percent in the game to AASU's 32 percent and the team posted a season-high 23 assists.
ASU returns to the court on Thursday, Jan. 17 when they host Flagler at 7:30 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
