Jaguars fight off Francis Marion for 75-71 win

The Augusta University men’s basketball team hosted the Francis Marion Patriots on Wednesday night for the cancer awareness game and pulled out a 75-71 Peach Belt Conference win in Christenberry Fieldhouse.

• PHOTOS

The Jaguars (18-6, 11-5 PBC) honored cancer survivors, handed out information, and collected donations for the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University.

Augusta completed the regular-season sweep of Francis Marion (8-15, 4-11 PBC) after the Jags won 85-80 on Jan. 21 in Florence, S.C. The Jags are now atop the PBC standings with the UNC Pembroke Braves.

Augusta senior Keshun Sherrill scored the first 12 points of the game and finished with 32 to lead all players. Sophomore Ja’Shawn Brooks booked 10 points and junior Tamyrik Fields eight points.

The Jags recorded a 56.3 field-goal percentage (27-of-48) and held the Patriots to 43.4 shooting (23-of-53). The rebound battle went to Augusta 30-26 and the Jags went 9-for-19 from the arc (47.4 percent) to FMU’s 8-for-19 (42.1 percent).

The Patriots were led by Brandon Parker with 20 points, Detrek Browning’s 17, and Kenneth Jackson’s 15.

A 12-0 run started the game for Augusta as Sherrill made every point. The Jags’ run stopped at 14-3 for a big lead. FMU trailed 21-11 with 11:29 to play in the first half thanks to Brandon Parker’s four quick treys for the Pats.

The Jags stayed strong and came away with a 41-35 halftime score – highlighted by Sherrill’s 14 points. Parker also put up 14 points for FMU, but the Jags shot over 60 percent in the first half to the Pats’ 48.1 percent.

Sophomore Vlad Cobzaru kissed in two spin-move layups to start the second half for Augusta. A three from Sherrill and two free throws from Deane Williams lifted the Jaguars back up by 10 with 16:49 left in the game.

FMU made it a one point game at 57-56 with just under 10 minutes after the Jags went cold from the floor midway in the second half. The game stayed within six points and the Patriots tied it 62-all with 4:48 to go. AU held on to a two-point advantage and survived for the league win.

The Jaguars host the Armstrong State Pirates on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a 3:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference tipoff. The women are scheduled to play at 1:30 p.m. The Hull College of Business from Augusta University will be in attendance to support the Jags!

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.AugustaJags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags