Augusta, Ga. – The Augusta University Men's Basketball team picked up a win today against the Columbus State Cougars, 74-64, in a conference match up. The Jags improve to 13-7 overall and boast a conference record of 8-4, The Cougars drop to 12-8 on the year and move to 7-5 in PBC contests.
The Jags opened play with a dominant first half, outscoring their opponents 40-26. Despite a slow start that saw each squad tied at 1-1, the jags found themselves hitting shots when they needed to. Tyshaun Crawford dropped one in from close range just before the first timeout to give the Jags a 10-5 edge.
A couple minutes later, Miguel Arnold launched one of his patented threes to make the lead eight for the Jags. Columbus State tied things back up, but Arnold again showed his range, draining a three to give the lead back to Augusta at 10:32.
Augusta wouldn't surrender their edge again for the remainder of the half, heading into halftime with a comfortable 14 point cushion.
In the second half, the Jaguars continued solid play and, despite Columbus State cutting away at the lead, were able to maintain enough distance. The Closest the visitors would get in the half was at 11:25, when the made it 49-43 after a pair of free throws.
In the game, the Jaguars were 26-of-49 (53.1%) from the field, including a five-of-14 mark from beyond the three-point line, and shot 17-of-23 (73.9%) at the charity stripe.
All five starters for Augusta hit double figures in scoring. Arnold narrowly beat out Rafael Monteiro in points with 16 to Monteiro's 15. Tyree Myers put up 13 on the night, while Crawford and Troy Cracknell each notched 11 in the game.
In the rebound department, the Jags were led by Monteiro and Cracknell, who each snagged 6 in the contest, while defensively, Myers led the Jags with a pair of steals.
The Jaguars return to action on Wednesday, February 5 when they take on the Lander Bearcats at 7:30 p.m.
