AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta Jaguars christened Christenberry Fieldhouse for the 2016-17 season with a 65-56 non-conference win over Clafin University on Thursday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jags (3-0) opened their home slate in front of a packed crowd and took care of the Panthers (0-2) in their first home game of the season.
The Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week, Keshun Sherrill scored 13 first half points and ended the night with 35 to lead all scorers. The senior All-American was 13-of-14 shooting free throws and 9-for-17 from field-goal range toe the Jaguars.
Sophomore Deane Williams recorded his second double-double of his Jaguar career with 13 points and 12 rebounds and junior Kyle Doyle turned in six points with four rebounds. Junior Tamyrik Fields scored four points with four boards in the win.
Austin Lawton had 15 points and five rebounds to guide Claflin and Ryan McNeil-Moses scored 11 with seven boards.
Both teams were cold from the floor to start the game and each shot 39.1 percent for the game from field-goal range. The Jags outshot the Panthers 72.7 percent to 69.6 percent from the free-throw line and outrebounded them 37-28.
At the second media timeout in the first half, Claflin had a 13-7 lead. Both teams missed their first six shot attempts to start the contest, but a Panther three pointer put them on the board first. Sherrill hit a one-handed floater for the Jags' first score and a fast-break layup got Augusta within six.
Sophomore Ja'Shawn Brooks came in off the bench and buried a trey just above 10 minutes for a four-point game. Another deep ball from Sherrill put Augusta closer and a Deane Williams fade-away shot tied the game 20-all.
The lead changed for the first time of the night when Williams completed a three-point play for Augusta to lead 24-22. Williams fought to get back to the free throw line and the Jags never trailed again.
Claflin got a two handed dunk with under minute for a 28-26 game, but a called play out of a timeout found Fields open under the rim and Augusta took a 30-26 score into halftime.
Second half play opened with Sherrill nailing another three pointer and sophomore Ben Ursich followed with a layup to keep the advantage. Augusta led the entire second half, but the Panthers drew several fouls and got themselves into a 50-47 game after free throws from Trevor Dantzler.
On top by three with four minutes to play, Augusta's Sherrill sunk a pair at the charity stripe to spark the Jags. The cruised to a double-digit lead with 1:58 in the contest and won 65-56 to improve 3-0. Claflin scored 28 points in the paint to Augusta's 18, but 12 second chance baskets helped Augusta to the victory.
The Jaguars host the West Georgia Wolves this Saturday, Nov. 19 for a 4:00 p.m. non-conference game in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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