Lady Jags hang on against Clayton State, 48-44
By Jaxon Garner | Editor in Chief
The Augusta University women’s basketball team (6-4 PBC, 14-6) avenged their midseason loss to Clayton State (5-6 PBC, 8-13) with a gritty 48-44 victory in a back-and-forth battle on Wednesday night, Feb. 5.
The Jaguars came into the matchup seeking redemption after a 66-60 defeat on Jan. 8. In that contest, Quinasia Abercrombie led Augusta with 16 points, while Lakers guard Jadah Waite matched that total for Clayton State.
This time around, the Jaguars edged out a 12-10 lead after the first quarter, with six players contributing two points each. Defensively, they held Waite scoreless in the period.
“We made sure our presence was felt on defense,” AU coach Celeste Stewart said. “We focused on not allowing easy opportunities and contesting every shot.”
Despite having the lowest shooting percentage in the Peach Belt Conference, Augusta targeted Clayton State’s vulnerability—allowing the most 3-pointers in the league. However, the Jaguars went 0-for-4 from beyond the arc in the first quarter.
The second quarter featured more tight play as both teams traded points and misses. With four minutes left before halftime, the game was tied at 19.
Scoring stalled in the final minutes, with just three combined points to close the half. Augusta took a slim 21-20 lead into the break, led by Je'Bria Fullwood’s six points. Jada Alston paced the Lakers with six points of her own.
Halftime provided excitement for fans as Bell Ringer Sports Editor Justin Gray came inches away from sinking a half-court shot to win a 65-inch television, part of a promotional contest held at every home game for both men’s and women’s teams.
Bell Ringer Sports Editor, Justin Gray attempting a half court shot to win a 65-inch TV (Photo by Dominic Macias/Bell Ringer).
Abercrombie sparked the Jaguars in the third quarter, scoring their first six points of the period. Augusta held a 27-24 lead with 5:16 remaining.
“Q does the little things, the things that don’t show up on the stats,” Stewart said. “She’s continued to build confidence throughout the season.”
Clayton State edged Augusta 7-6 to close the third quarter, but Abercrombie accounted for 10 of the Jaguars' 12 points in the period. Augusta carried a 33-31 lead into the fourth.
The Jaguars made their first 3-pointer of the game with 5:47 left when Autumn Phillips drained a shot to give Augusta a 42-35 lead—the largest of the night.
“We needed that 3-pointer,” Stewart said. “We have to trust that we are going to make the shot and think about it as practice.”
The Lakers responded with a 5-0 run, capped by a Jasmyn Burts 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two. They later tied the game at 44 when Amiyah Edney-Holmes hit two free throws with 2:50 remaining. A layup by Burts gave Clayton State a 44-42 lead with just over a minute left.
“It’s about belief,” Stewart said. “Believing in our defense, believing that we could hang on and pull it out.”
The Jaguars fought back, reclaiming the lead at 46-44 on a Yamani Paul layup with 37 seconds remaining. They held on for the 48-44 win.
Abercrombie led Augusta with 13 points, while Burts paced Clayton State with 11.
The Jaguars will look to extend their success when they host USC Aiken on Saturday, Feb. 8. Augusta previously dominated the Pacers 67-37 earlier in the season.
“There are no easy games in the conference,” Stewart said. “They are coming for revenge. I don’t expect anything less.”
Contact Jaxon Garner at jaxgarner@augusta.edu
AU’s Autumn Phillips drives down the court versus Clayton State (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics). Photo at the top of the screen is AU’s Sierra Burns going up for a contested layup versus Clayton State (Photo by Paula Toole/AU Athletics).
