Saturday, November 26, 2005

AUGUSTA STATE TAKES DOWN REINHARDT 76-51

Dahlonega, Ga. – Augusta State University took a three-point half time lead and stretched it into a 76-51 win over Reinhardt College in the third game of the 2005 Alltel Classic hosted by North Georgia College & State University.

The first half was fast paced with neither team able to establish control. The half saw five lead changes and two ties as the Lady Jaguars (2-3) and Lady Eagles (2-8) went back-and-forth. ASU was able to climb out to an eight-point lead with 2:53 remaining in the period after junior forward Tiffany Paschal knocked down a free throw. RC was able to claw back and cut the lead to 26-25 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the half after freshman forward Kathy Thornton dropped a couple of free throws. The Lady Jaguars responded quickly with second remaining and Paschal tossed in a jumper to give ASU a 28-25 lead heading into the locker room.

ASU ran into the second half red-hot as they climbed out to a 44-34 lead five minutes into the period. RC cut the lead to single digits with 11 minutes left in the game off of a free throw by junior forward Denise Kinsler. Over the next four minutes though, the Lady Jaguars went on a 9-1 run to go up 57-40 to put the game away.

ASU shot 50% (29-58) from the floor in the game and 56% (5-9) from behind the arc, including a perfect 2-for-2 in the second half. The Lady Eagles came out firing in the first half, 42% (8-19) from the floor and 50% (4-8) from the three-point line, but cooled off in the second half and finished the game shooting 38% (16-42) from the field and 35% (6-17) from the arc.

The Lady Jaguars will play again this Wednesday in Memorial Gymnasium as they take on North Georgia in their Peach Belt Conference opener at 5:30 p.m. RC will take to the floor again on November 29 against Voorhees College at 6:00 p.m.