Lander Too Strong for Jags in Day of Service Game

Lander Too Strong for Jags in Day of Service Game

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men's basketball team (7-6, 3-3 PBC) faced off against the Lander Bearcats (11-4, 4-2 PBC) on Saturday afternoon. The game was the Day of Service game for the Jaguars, honoring those who participated in Augusta University's Day of Service at halftime. The 970 participants in the volunteering opportunity in September  helped in all areas of the CSRA, participating in tasks such as lawn work, river cleanup, painting and reading. 

Keshun Sherrill led the way scoring for the Jaguars with 17 points. The Jaguars as a whole shot 43.1 percent from the floor and 36.8 percent from three-point range, while the Bearcats shot 45.9 percent from the floor and 35 percent from three-point range. The big momentum shifter throughout the game was free throws, with the Bearcats missing just one the entire game and the Jaguars missing 10 in the second half alone.

The Jaguars opened up the scoring in the game with an 8-2 run, kicked off by a three-pointer from Aaron Byrd. Despite early scoring from both teams, the first 10 minutes of the game saw a very defensive battle, with just 27 points being scored between the two teams. The remainder of the first half saw a dominant performance by Lander, both offensively and defensively, outscoring the Jaguars 20-11 in the final 10 minutes of the half. 

Defensively, the Bearcats were able to hold the normally-hot Keshun Sherrill to just seven points in the first half. The Jaguars as a whole were held to just 36 percent shooting from the floor against Lander's 43.3 percent, and just 30 percent from beyond the arc in the first half. The Bearcats were also perfect from the line, shooting 4/4 on free throws.

Lander continued their strong play on both sides of the ball to start the second half. Five minutes into the half, however, the Jaguars found a small spark after a long jumper cut the lead to seven. The Jaguars closed the lead to as few as four, but a hard foul that left Keshun Sherrill lying on the ground seemed to momentarily shake the concentration of the Jaguars. Sherrill would quickly return to the game, making an immediate impact with a long three-pointer that cut the lead back to five at 11:06.

 The Bearcats were able to find a rhythm after that, stretching the lead back out to ten at the eight-minute mark. Lander would not lose that groove until a three-pointer from the Jaguars' Keith Crump cut the Lander lead back to single digits. After that, it was smooth-sailing for the Bearcats as they closed out the Jaguars with a final of 72-64.

Augusta plays at Armstrong State on Wednesday, Jan. 13 for a Peach Belt Conference game at 7:30 p.m. in Savannah, Ga. The women tipoff against the Armstrong Pirates at 7:30 p.m.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.jaguarsroar.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AUG_Athletics.