Jags Fall 89-79 To USC Aiken In PBC Quarterfinals

Jags Fall 89-79 To USC Aiken In PBC Quarterfinals

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – Starting the postseason by hosting the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, the fourth-seeded Augusta University men's basketball team fell 89-79 to fifth-seeded USC Aiken on Wednesday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

 

Augusta (16-13) met USCA (16-11) for the first time in the postseason since 2013-14 when they played in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Augusta had an eight game winning streak against USCA snapped with the loss.  This is the 26th appearance for Augusta in the PBC Tournament, never missing a trip since its inception in 1992 including 14 straight trips for head coach Dip Metress. The Pacers got their first win in Christenberry Fieldhouse since Feb. 26, 2014.

 

AUGUSTA SHOOTING

  • 41.4 field-goal percentage (29-for-70)
  • 38.1 three-point percentage (8-for-21)
  • 68.4 free-throw percentage (13-for-19)

 

USC AIKEN SHOOTING

  • 50.0 field-goal percentage (30-for-60)
  • 33.3 three-point percentage (7-for-21)
  • 73.3 free-throw percentage (22-for-30)

 

Jags senior Tamyrik Fields finished the regular season ranked second in the PBC in points, points per game, and made field goals and he had a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

 

Senior Vlad Cobzaru started the night by being honored with the Elite-15 Award. The award is presented in each of the league's 15 championship sports to the student-athlete participating in the tournament with the highest cumulative GPA.  Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Award, 2016-17 is the fifth year the PBC has presented the honor. Cobzaru, along with Jags junior Aaron Byrd, were named to the PBC All-Academic team as well.

 

Augusta let USCA enjoy a 13-0 run to start the game, but started the comeback process quickly from there. Freshman Shawn Moss hit two big three pointers for the Jags to spark the offense, but the Pacers pushed ahead and took the half up 41-32. USCA led by as much as 14 in the first half.

 

The Jags had the deficit under 10 points, when Fields hit a layup with 17:00 to go in the game. USCA led 60-49 with 10 minutes left in the game and never trailed to win 89-79.

 

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