AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Augusta University women's basketball team held the visiting Flagler Saints winless in the Peach Belt Conference with a 78-71 comeback victory on Wednesday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars (9-6, 4-5 PBC) trailed the entire game until two minutes left when a late layup reversed the score and put Augusta on top. The Jags held off the Saints in the final minute of the contest to win their third straight game.
Augusta was led by senior Kayla Lovett's 14 points and senior Breonna O'Conner's 10. Sophomore Brianna Middleton grabbed 12 rebounds and had nine points and sophomore Joshlyn Belcher booked 10 points.
The Jags made 8-of-20 threes (40 percent) to Flagler's 11-of-26 (42.3 percent) and had a 39.7 field-goal percentage to the Saints' 44.1 percent. The rebound battle went to Augusta 41-36 and the Jags outscored Flagler 26-10 in the final period to earn the win. Flagler led by 16 at point.
Flagler shot better from the floor and from range, but the second half woes gave Augusta the edge. Flagler's Tiffany Hodge had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Bri Roberts 19 points, and Maggie Flynn 17.
The game started on a 9-0 Flagler run and they shot over 60 percent in the first period to lead 24-10 after 10 minutes of play. Augusta's JJ Williams came off the bench and hit a three ball for her first shot to help Augusta cut the deficit.
Williams, Belcher, and Harris all made three pointers at the start of the second for Augusta, but Flagler did it better and lead 29-20 with 4:56 in the opening half. Five different Saints each made three pointers at that point.
Two more Flagler threes with a minute dwindling out them up 41-29 at the half over Augusta. The Saints shot over 55 percent from field-goal territory and the three-point line in the first half and never trailed.
Senior Kayla Lovett started the second half with a three pointer and Belcher hit her third with two minutes in the third period for a 55-47 score. Sophomore Mallory Myers was fouled on a successful layup and the three-point play brought the Jags within six points.
Augusta's seventh trey of the game from Tavia Sykes made it 63-59 with under seven minutes in the game. Flagler continued to score, but Sykes sunk another three pointer for a three point game. Augusta forced Flagler in back-to-back turnovers in their next two trips down the floor.
Myers made two straight layups to steal a 72-71 lead for Augusta – their first of the game. The Jags never looked back and won 78-71.
The Jaguars travel to Francis Marion in Florence, S.C., on Saturday, Jan. 21 for a 1:30 p.m. PBC game.
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