AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State Head Basketball Coach Dip Metress notched his 200th win at Augusta State University as the Jaguars triumphed over Georgia College, 69-44, Monday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The win moved ASU to 9-5 overall and 5-3 in the Peach Belt Conference, while the loss dropped GC to 6-9 and 2-6 in the PBC.
"Since the day we were hired on my wife's birthday, May 10, 2004, I have not made a jump shot or had an assist," said Metress, in his ninth year at the helm of the Jaguar Men's Basketball program. "Getting our 200th win is a tribute to the 24 seniors that have completed their eligibility in our time here. Out of those 24 and actually 25, if we include Travis Keels, 20 of them (80 percent) have either graduated or are on track to graduate with their degree. This is more important than all the championship banners that are hanging in Christenberry Fieldhouse. I am truly thankful to Coach (Director of Athletics Clint) Bryant for giving us this opportunity nine years ago."
ASU sophomore forward Devon Wright-Nelson led all scorers with 17 points, while pulling down seven rebounds. Junior guard Ryan Weems notched the first double-double of his career, scoring 11 points and grabbing a season and game-high 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Devonte Thomas scored 13 points and contributed eight rebounds. Sophomore point guard D'Angelo Boyce handed out a game-leading and season-high 11 assists and scored nine points. Senior forward Travis Keels had a game-high four blocks and nine points.
The Bobcats were paced by junior Aaron Robinson's 10 points. Sophomore David Wagner pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds while contributing six points.
The Jags began the contest with a 20-0 run and allowed the first Bobcat bucket almost halfway through the period, after missing on their first 12 shots. Wright-Nelson was 5-5 in the half, scoring half of ASU's first 20 points. ASU ended the half with an 18-point advantage, 36-18, on freshman forward Michael Graham's alley-oop dunk with 56 seconds left in the period.
"We started out with great defense tonight. They missed a lot of shots and we were able to capitalize on those misses," said Metress.
Georgia College did pull back within 15 with 7:36 left on the clock, but the Jags closed out the game with a 27 point advantage, 69-44.
ASU shot 44 percent (25-57) for the game, holding the Bobcats to 28 percent (16-58). The Jags hit 15-19 (79 percent) from the charity stripe, while the Bobcats were 8-12 (68 percent). The Jags pulled down 45 rebounds compared to Georgia College's 34. ASU had seven steals and created 11 turnovers, while committing eight.
"I am pleased with the win, but now we have to get ready for the City Classic against Paine on Thursday night," Metress said."
The Jags remain in Augusta for their next contest, when they head to HEAL Complex on the campus of Paine College for an 8:00 p.m. tipoff on Thursday, Jan. 24.
