Monday January 23, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State Head Coach Dip Metress called his freshman trio 'Triple D’ -- Devonte Thomas, Devon Wright-Nelson, and D'Angelo Boyce -- and they combined for 41 of the Jaguars’ 63 points Monday night in a 63-55 win over the Columbus State.

With its sixth win in the past seven games, ASU improved to 11-7 overall and 7-3 in the PBC, good for third place in the PBC’s East Division. The loss dropped Columbus State to 9-8 and 4-4, respectively.

The Jags came out firing on all cylinders, racing to a 19-8 lead with a fast break dunk by Thomas and four threes: two by Wright-Nelson, one by Boyce, and another by senior Tye Beal. ASU maintained the margin throughout the first half, entering the locker room holding a 29-20 lead.

But the Cougars battled back, finally cutting the lead to one after two Paul Darkwa free throws with 11:51 remaining. ASU countered with an 8-0 run on Travis Keels' turnaround jumper and six straight points from Thomas, and the lead held the rest of the way.

Wright-Nelson tied for a game-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds, going 6-of-9 from the field. Thomas added 15 points, and Boyce tacked on nine along with three assists to lead the Jags.

Darkwa had 17 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Cougars; Steve Peterson chipped in 12, and Winford Ivey added 10.

ASU shot well, making nearly half their shots (20-of-42), though they converted only 17-of-28 free throws (60.7 percent). CSU made 17-of-48 (35.4 percent) on the night.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Augusta State started cold, shooting 3-of-18 to start the game, but nearly recovered before falling 51-41 to Columbus State in Peach Belt Conference play Monday.

ASU slipped to 8-10 overall and 3-7 in the PBC, while the Lady Cougars improved to 10-7 and 5-3, respectively. The loss marked the seventh straight in the series for the Lady Jags.

Both teams struggled early, combining to miss on their first six shots before ASU junior Tiffany Jaecks laid the first points of the game in. The teams traded baskets, with Amber Peterson's three pulling the Lady Jags within one with 13:38 left in the first half. They failed to make a basket, however, for the next eight minutes as CSU pulled away, entering the half with a 21-11 lead.

“We need to start with more energy, and keep up with the opponent's level of energy,” said ASU head coach Nate Teymer.

ASU got off to a better start, scoring the first five points on a J Ashby trey and a Jaecks’ jumper to pull within five. The margin varied, falling to one on Jaecks' 10th point of the game, another jumper with 9:36 left in the game. But the Lady Cougars responded, as Dominque Gilbert took Asha Alexander's pass inside for a quick two, and Shan Basley knocked down a three of her own to rebuild a lead the Lady Jags failed to seriously threaten again.