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AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men's basketball team played its second Division-I opponent in two days on Friday when the Georgia Southern Eagles visited Christenberry Fieldhouse for an exhibition game. With a packed house in attendance, Augusta senior Tamyrik "TC" Fields scored a career-best 24 points, but the Jags fell 88-67 despite leading early.
The game was dubbed 'Storm the Berry' as fans came to watch the Jaguars battle the Division-I Eagles. The idea was an effort from the NCAA and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to support areas around the globe that were affected by the recent hurricanes. All proceeds raised at the game were donated to the American Red Cross.
Fields led Augusta with 24 points and added five rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. Junior Deane Williams delivered 10 points and seven boards, and freshman point guard Mikkel Kolstad carded 12 points and three assists.
Augusta shot 54 percent from the floor to the Eagles' 48.5 field-goal percentage and made six three pointers to GSU's eight. At the free-throw line, Georgia Southern was 16-for-17 (94.1 percent) and Augusta 7-for-13 (53.8 percent).
The Eagles' Tookie Brown booked a game-high 27 points with four assists and three boards, while Jared Hamilton had 13 points.
This was the first time Augusta has hosted a Division I opponent since the first year of Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars hosted the inaugural game in the 'Berry against South Carolina on January 29, 1991. The last time Augusta hosted a Division I opponent was February 23, 1991 when the Jaguars beat Winthrop 58-44.
Fresh off another Division I exhibition game against the Clemson Tigers on Nov. 2, the Jaguars came out hot to take an 11-point lead, but GSU outlasted and prevailed.
Georgia Southern scored the opening bucket, but back-to-back Tyvez Monroe three pointer's put AU on top at the start of the game. Augusta led by 11 in the first half and had the advantage through the first 10 minutes.
The Eagles got an and-one play from Jared Hamilton to steal a 23-22 lead with 5:42 to go in the first half. The Jags went into the break trailing 42-28 with Doyle and Monroe leading early at six points each. Brown and Ike Smith each had 11 points at the pause for GSU.
Doyle found Mikkel Kolstad on the wing and he knocked it down for the first second-half basket. Augusta remained steady on offense and a Dereck Oliver three-pointer cut it to 10 points midway through the half, but the Eagles remained ahead.
Augusta officially begins the season on Nov. 10 against Mount Olive on the campus of Barton College in Wilson, N.C. See the full 2017-18 schedule by clicking here
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