Flagler topped Augusta 89-75 Saturday, handing the No. 6 ranked Jaguars their second loss of the season, their first defeat in Peach Belt Conference play in exactly one year, and their first loss at home in almost two years.
The Saints got 25 points from junior Malik Bryant, 22 from sophomore Chase Fiddler and 17 from sophomore Jaylen Lemons as the trio made a sizzling 11 of 17 three point attempts to help Flagler improve to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in the conference.
Augusta (16-2, 7-1) was led by 7’1” senior center Tyshaun Crawford, who scored 26 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Fellow senior Tyree Myers added 15 points for the Jaguars. And freshman Chris Britt scored 8 points during the final six minutes of the game to provide hope for an unlikely comeback as the Jaguars reduced a 21-point deficit to 12 with 2:43 remaining before Flagler closed out the victory.
Before Saturday, the defending PBC champion Augusta had won 21 straight conference games dating back to January 22, 2022, when the Jaguars lost on the road to the same Flagler team. Saturday’s loss also snapped a 28-game winning streak at home that dates back to February 17, 2021.
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A promising start that soon went south
Senior guards Tyree Myers and Miguel Arnold were recognized before the game for recently breaking the Peach Belt Conference records for career assists (Myers) and made three pointers (Arnold). Fittingly, the duo connected on the first play of the game for a three pointer by Arnold on an assist by Myers.
The Jaguars then took an early 18-13 lead after Crawford scored a string of early baskets in the paint.
But Flagler responded with a 13-0 run to take a 26-18 lead, and Augusta didn’t take another lead in the game.
Saturday’s loss might serve as a timely wake up call for Augusta before this Wednesday’s road game against arch rival USC Aiken (13-5, 6-2). Sailing through an entire season without losing at home, like Augusta did last season on its way to a school record 33 wins and a national runner up finish, is not something that comes easy. Neither is going an entire year without losing a conference game.
Counting Saturday’s defeat, the Jaguars have fallen behind by double digits in eight games this season. Satuday’s loss at home proves that every team on the schedule is dangerous, in case anybody needed a reminder. The Jaguars (7-1) are currently tied at the top of the PBC standings with North Georgia (6-1), and USC Aiken (5-2) and Lander (5-2) are tied for the second spot.
Wednesday’s rivalry game against USC Aiken will be the first opportunity for Augusta to bounce back. After that the Jaguars will travel again to Clayton State on Saturday, January 28, before returning home for games against North Georgia (Wednesday, February 1) and Georgia College (Saturday, February 4). The regular season will extend through the end of February, and the conference tournament will take place during the first week of March at the home gym of the regular season champion.
Follow Chad Cook’s coverage of local sports on Facebook and Instagram at @AugustaPressSports, and on Twitter at @AugPressSports.
