Making one of their longest trips in the PBC, Augusta (12-10, 8-7 PBC) couldn't get past the Saints' (8-16, 3-12 PBC) lead in the second. The Saints were 23-of-29 from the charity stripe (79.3 percent) and Augusta hit 8-of-12 free throws (66.7 percent) in the game.
Augusta took 16 more shots than Flagler from field-goal range and hit 34-of-74 (45.9 percent), while the Saints made 29-of-58 for 50 percent. The Jags had 16 fast-break points and outrebounded the Saints 37-34.
The Jags were ahead by seven through the opening five minutes, but steady shooting from the Saints kept it close. Flagler was up by three with 19 seconds left in the first half when Augusta junior Keith Crump buried a shot to beat the buzzer and knot the game. Crump had nine points, nine assists, and three steals.
The game was tied 37-all at the half with the Jaguars shooting 43.6 percent from the floor to Flagler's field-goal percentage at an even 50 percent. Senior Tommy Williams was 5-for-7 from the floor in the opening 20 minutes to lead the Jags with 10 points in the first half.
Augusta found life off the bench from sophomore Tamyrik Field's 20 points and six rebounds. Junior Keshun Sherrill had a team-best 22 points with eight rebounds, and T. Williams finished with 11 points total with eight boards.
The opening second-half basket went to Flagler to break the tie game and the Saints stayed ahead for the rest of the game.
With five minutes left, Fields put Augusta within three on a floater in the lane over two Saints defenders. Crump assisted Sherrill on a top of the key three pointer to knot the game at 69-all with 4:22 on the scoreboard. In the next two minutes, Flagler built a 10-point lead and led 81-74 with 1:14 remaining as Augusta called a timeout.
After a driving layup from Sherrill, the Jags forced a turnover and found Fields for another jumper in the lane. There were 43 seconds left and it was a three-point game after Sherrill got his 22nd point on a layup.
Flagler had the ball up by four points with 20 seconds to go and after a technical foul was assessed to the Jaguar bench, the Saints made enough free throws to hold off the Jags.
The Jaguars host rival USC Aiken on Saturday, Feb. 13 for 2016 Homecoming in Christenberry Fieldhouse – celebrating 25 Years of Christenberry Fieldhouse. The women's game begins at 1:30 p.m. and the men follow at 3:30 p.m.
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