The Augusta University Men's Basketball team defeated the Lander University Bearcats 77-71 Wednesday night at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jags improve to 14-7 on the season and 9-4 in Peach Belt Conference play. The Bearcats fall to 16-5 overall and are now 10-3 in the Peach Belt Conference.
The Jags offense started off hot and jumped out to an early start but Lander was able to climb back into the game.The Jags were able to build a 41-31 lead late in the first half but the Bearcats were able to close the half on a 7-0 run. Augusta took a 41-38 lead into halftime.
The Jags shot 56% from the field in the first half. Tyshaun Crawford led the Jags with 12 points on four-for-five shooting, while also adding nine rebounds. Troy Cracknell added eight points of his own as he went three-for-four from the field including two three-pointers.
The Jags traded baskets with the Bearcats early on in the second half. Midway through the half, the Bearcats were able to go on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 54. The Jags were able to close the game out with solid play on both sides of the ball. The Jags outscored the Bearcats, 36-33, in the second half. The Jags fought off every attempt the Bearcats gave them throughout the half and came away with the victory, 77-71.
The Jaguars shot 27-for-57 (47.4%) from the field, adding an eight-for-19 (42.1%) mark from downtown. The Jags shot 15-for-23 (65.2%) from the free throw line.
Rafael Monteiro led the way for the Jags with 21 points on nine-for-fifiteen shooting. He also added four rebounds. Tyshaun Crawford scored 17 points of his own on five-for-seven shooting, while going seven-for-12 from the charity stripe. Crawford totaled 15 rebounds for the game, giving him a double-double for the night.
The Jaguars head out on the road as they travel to St. Augustine, FL to take on Flagler College on Saturday, February 8 at 3:30 p.m.