Complete Effort Carries Lady Jags

Complete Effort Carries Lady Jags

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State began on a 16-4 run and never let Flagler back in Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 63-35 Peach Belt Conference win in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

ASU improved to 10-10 and 5-7 in the conference; Flagler fell to 2-17, 1-11.

Becky Newhouse and Laci Schreiber started hot, combining for 10 points in the first five minutes, and the defense smothered the Saints to force rushed shots and turnovers as ASU ran out to a quick 10-2 lead in the first five minutes.

The lead continued to grow, as Schreiber finished the half with 10 points and Marina Fox found space in the paint to push in eight to put the Lady Jags up 34-18 heading into the break, and the lead only grew from there in the second half as J Ashby had the hot hand throughout.

"The ladies are starting to play better as a team," ASU head coach Nate Teymer said. "We're getting more consistency from the players as they get more and more on the same page."

Ashby led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the game, chipping in six rebounds as well. Schreiber finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Brooke McCants and Fox each had eight.

Charlsea Owen had 10 points and Treva Mason grabbed seven boards to lead the Saints.

ASU's defense was staunch all game, holding Flagler to 22.7 percent shooting on the day and under 20 percent in the second half. The Lady Jags forced 23 turnovers, compared to just ten of their own, and outscored the Saints 28-12 in the paint.

The Lady Jags take on UNC Pembroke on Wednesday, Feb. 8 in Pembroke, N.C. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m., in the English E. Jones Center.