AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University women's basketball team returned to the hardwood for the first time in the 2016-17 season on Tuesday night to dominate Fort Valley State University 73-47 in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Ranked No. 7 in the NCAA Southeast Region, Augusta (1-0) started seniors Kayla Lovett and Breonna O'Conner, juniors Cynara Pitt and Ashleigh Outler and sophomore Brianna Middleton.
Peach Belt Preseason All-Conference selection Breonna O'Conner scored first-half points and ended the night with 27 to lead all scorers. O'Conner was five points shy of her career high as she went 12-for-18 from the floor.
Augusta shot 39.4 percent from field-goal range and held Fort Valley to 31.7 shooting. The Jags were 17-of-26 from the free-throw line (65.4 percent), but lost the rebound contest 47-45. Augusta poured on 28 bench points to FVSU's nine and had 16 points off fast breaks and 16 steals.
Outler and Harris had nine points each, with Harris adding six rebounds and Outler five.
Middleton made her first start of her collegiate career on Tuesday night and banked in the first bucket of the night on an assist from Outler.
Harris and junior JJ Williams also saw their first action as Jaguars and each scored in their first few minutes of action off the bench.
Outler opened the second period with a three pointer at the top of the key to make it 23-11 and Augusta led by as much as 12 point with solid ball movement. Under three minutes, FVSU fought to get back into a five-point game, but the deficit would grow.
O'Conner scored 16 in the first half to help the Jags to a 35-22 lead at the half. FVSU's Shekiya Tarpkins drilled a three pointer to open the second half, but the Jags went on a run to boost back to a 42-49 lead with 6:53 in the third period.
After a steal and fast-break layup from O'Conner, Augusta went to work in the closing five minutes of the third and took a 20-point lead. The Jaguars led by at least 19 in the final period and cruised to a 73-47 victory.
FVSU's Shekiyah Tarpkin scored 19 points and Alexia Green had 10 rebounds and eight points.
Augusta returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 27 to take on non-conference Clark Atlanta at 2:00 p.m. in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
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