AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Despite a second-half comeback that nearly wiped out a 19-point halftime deficit, the Augusta State Lady Jaguars fell to Armstrong Atlantic State 73-64 in Peach Belt Conference action on Wednesday in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The loss dropped ASU to 7-4 and 2-1 in the PBC. Armstrong Atlantic moved to 8-4 and 3-2 in the league.
ASU started slow, taking 10 minutes to reach double figures as the Pirates built an early lead, and it carried all the way until halftime.
But the Lady Jags came out firing at will in the second; J Ashby slashed to the basket for an easy two, and then Brooke McCants followed up a free throw with a fast break bucket off Brittany White's steal to cut the lead to 14. Becky Newhouse then dropped a 15-footer, and followed it with back-to-back deep balls to complete a 10-0 run and trim the lead to single digits.
Another spurt later in the half pulled ASU within six with 10:10 left to go, highlighted by Eryka Menzies' sprint and lay-in following a miss by the Pirates, but the Lady Jags could pull no closer the rest of the way.
Three Lady Jags scored in double figures, led by Newhouse and Ashby with 14 points apiece. Guard Amber Peterson booked 11 points, including 3 3-point baskets. Laci Schreiber pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
The Pirates had four players in double figures, including Angelia Hill's game-high 17 points.
The Lady Jags shot 39.3 percent for the game on 24-of-61 shooting, while the Pirates hit on 28 of their 55 shots to tally a 50.9 shooting percentage. ASU also missed nine free throws, and Armstrong held a 40-29 edge in rebounding.
The Lady Jags will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7, when they face North Georgia in a Peach Belt Conference contest in Christenberry Fieldhouse at 5:30 pm.