AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University men's basketball team won its fifth game in a row on Wednesday night with an 87-67 Peach Belt Conference victory over the Francis Marion Patriots in Florence, SC.
The Jaguars improved to 16-7 overall and 11-4 in the Peach Belt, while the loss slid Francis Marion to 4-18 and 3-12 in the league.
Three Jaguars scored double figures, with sophomore Miguel Arnold scoring 22 to lead the team. Sophomore Tyshaun Crawford put up 20 points and ten rebounds, and junior Troy Cracknell had 18 points. Senior Rafael Monteiro led the Jags in rebounding with fifteen on the night.
Augusta shot 45.9 percent (26-of-61) from the floor to FMU's 45.5 percent (25-of-55). From beyond the arc, AU made 16-of-32 (50 percent) and the Patriots 3-for-17 (17.6 percent). Augusta also outrebounded Francis Marion 41-25, propelling the Jags to the win.
Francis Marion was led by Winston Hill's 22 points and Jaquez Smith's 20. AU forced the Pirates into 14 turnovers Wednesday night.
Augusta made the first bucket of the day but battled with the Pirates for the entire first half. The Jags held a narrow 36-34 lead going into locker room for halftime. During the second half, a made three pointer by Troy Cracknell with 14 minutes gave AU a 12 point lead. From that point, the Jags never trailed and won 87-67
Augusta returns home on Saturday, Feb. 15 for a 3:30 p.m. tipoff in Christenberry Fieldhouse against Young Harris.
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