AUGUSTA, Ga. – The lead changed 11 different times in the regional battle, but the Augusta Jaguars couldn't complete the comeback and fell 87-83 to non-conference Mount Olive on Sunday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (2-2) met Mount Olive (3-4) on March 24, 2015 at the NCAA Southeast Regional Quarterfinal and fell 84-75 to close out the 2014-15 season. Before the 2015-16 rematch, Jaguar junior Keshun Sherrill received a commemorative signature basketball for surpassing his career 1,000 points. With a free throw against Shaw University on Nov. 28, 2015, Sherrill broke 1,000 points and helped lead the Jags to 76-59 victory.
The Jags trailed by a basket under a minute and committed to turnover to give the ball back to Mount Olive where the drove to the free-throw line to hold off Augusta. The Jags had 14 turnovers to UMO's five and the Trojans capitalized for 18 points off those turnovers.
Augusta shot 55.4 percent from the floor to UMO's 53.3 and the Jags outrebounded the Trojans 38-21. Sherrill finished with 34 points, just three shy of his career high and freshman Tyvez Monroe and senior Tommy Williams each had 13. Sophomore Tamyrik Fields provided eight points, five boards, and one assist and a steal.
Each performed at the free-throw line with the Trojans shooting 14-of-17 (82.4 %) and the Jags 14-of-20 (70.0 %).
A Tommy Williams put-back slam opened scoring on the day for Augusta. Freshman Tyvez Monroe connected on two three pointers and racked up an early points for the Jags as the score bounced back and forth. With 6:44 to go in the first half, UMO stole a 27-26 lead with two free throws.
Augusta tied it with an Aaron Byrd free throw with five minutes remaining. The end of the half ended at the charity stripe with the Trojans connecting to retake the lead before Sherrill hit two to knot the game at 40-40 heading into the locker rooms. Sherrill had 13 first-half points and Monroe had eight with four rebounds off the bench.
Mike Moore hit a UMO three pointer to start the second half and the Trojans went on a 6-0 run. Dontrell Brite lifted the Trojans with a shot from deep to boost their lead to 57-49 with 15 minutes to play. AU freshman Ja'Shawn Brooks found Sherrill for a successful three ball and junior Keith Crump hit another to bring the Jags closer.
Fields evened the game with two free throws for a 70-70 game and after UMO took another lead, Sherrill hit his third three pointer to push Augusta up 75-74. JaQuan Blount buried a three for the Trojans to steal back the lead and UMO pursued the free-throw line to go ahead by four with 1:39 to play.
Sherrill hit two more at the charity stripe and a T. Williams slam tied the contest at 82-all under a minute. Dominique Reed banked in a bucket off the glass and a turnover down the stretch gave the ball back to UMO where they held on for the victory.
The Jags host Bowie State on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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