Augusta Slows Down A Fast-Paced GSW

Augusta Slows Down A Fast-Paced GSW

AMERICUS, Ga. -- Augusta University walked in the Storm Dome with a mission to slow down a fast-paced Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team - and that they did. The Jaguars controlled the game and ran it at their pace to leave with a 65-56 victory this afternoon. 

GSW, who averages 70 field goal attempts per game, took a season-low 51 shots in this afternoon's game to an Augusta team who averages 58 points per game. 

How It Happened: The Lady Canes tipped things off with a 4-0 lead three minutes into the first quarter but the Jaguars gained an 8-6 lead after a made three-pointer by Olivia Swanston with 5:23 left in the quarter. Jamesha Samuel answered with a three-pointer of her own and on the next possession, she converted a three-point play to retake a 12-11 lead with 4:16 left in the first quarter. Augusta defense held the GSW to one point to close the opening quarter with a 16-13 lead. 

With four minutes left in the half, Samuel converted another three-pointer to tie the game at 25 in hopes that they could take the lead again. Back-to-back jump shots by both teams pushed the score at 27 with 2:55 left in the half. Neither team was able to score for the final 2:55 and went into halftime tied at 27. 

Lex Chatman erupted with a three as Lele Young followed with a layup for a five-point lead within the first minute of the third quarter that led to an Augusta timeout. The Jaguars retook the lead with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter, 35-34. GSW called a timeout with three minutes remaining after Augusta went on a 10-2 run for a 45-36 lead. GSW was able to cut the score down to six points as Augusta went into the fourth quarter up, 48-42. 

Turnovers by GSW (8-9, 5-6 PBC) caused Augusta to get a 13-point lead, 55-42, early in the fourth quarter as things started to get out of hands for the Lady Canes. GSW never recovered as Augusta held strong to get their third conference victory of the year. 

Both teams missed a total of three free throws tonight but Augusta led as they shoot 90 percent from the line. GSW only shot 85 percent from the line. GSW lost the rebound battle by one ball (32-31) by they led with 31 bench points compared to Augusta's 28. 

Who Stood Out: Tamecia Blue and Samuel led with 11 points each from off the bench. Samuel had four rebounds and one block while Blue had two assists and two steals. Chatman had nine points and five rebounds and Mariya Trimble had eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds. 

The Jaguars (4-13, 3-8 PBC) were led by Brianna Middleton, who finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and two steals. 

Up Next: After back-to-back home games, GSW closes the month with a trip to Morrow, Ga. and will play Clayton State (11-6, 7-4 PBC), Wednesday, Jan. 30 for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.