AMERICUS, Ga. — The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season Saturday night, pulling away down the stretch for a 75-65 Peach Belt Conference victory over Augusta University in front of 497 fans at the Storm Dome.
Behind a dominant scoring night from
JR Jacobs and a poised closing stretch at the free-throw line, the Hurricanes improved to 14-7 overall and 7-6 in league play, while Augusta slipped to 9-14 (4-9 PBC).
Fast Start Sets the Tone
GSW wasted little time asserting control, jumping out to an early lead and stretching it to as many as 16 points in the opening half. The Hurricanes shot 50 percent from the field before the break and knocked down seven three-pointers, keeping Augusta on its heels for most of the first 20 minutes.
Jacobs ignited the run with a trio of first-half threes, while
Deonte Williams and
Amir Reaves added steady pressure in transition. GSW led for nearly the entire first half and took a 39-34 advantage into the locker room.
Jaguars Hang Around in the Second Half
Augusta responded after halftime, trimming the deficit and briefly grabbing a 42-41 lead with 17:21 remaining, its first advantage since the early minutes, and eventually stretching its lead to seven (55-48) with 10:22 to play. Despite Augusta's push, Georgia Southwestern never wavered defensively, forcing turnovers and limiting clean looks in the final minutes.
Jacobs, Hurricanes Close with Authority
With the game hanging in the balance, Jacobs delivered the defining sequence of the night. The senior guard drained a go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining, then followed with a layup and a pair of free throws to spark a decisive 14-3 closing run.
GSW was flawless at the stripe late, going 12-for-12 from the free-throw line in the second half, and finished the game with a commanding edge in points off turnovers (22-4) and fastbreak points (19-6).
Jacobs Leads Balanced GSW Attack
Jacobs finished with a season-high 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, while also recording four steals. Williams added 17 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, anchoring the Hurricanes on both ends of the floor.
Reaves chipped in 16 points, and GSW totaled 18 assists against just five turnovers, showcasing composure and efficiency throughout the night.
What It Means
The victory marked just the third win for Georgia Southwestern over Augusta in the last 18 meetings, and it also stands as GSW's largest margin of victory in the series during the Hurricanes' NCAA era.
Next Up
The Hurricanes travel to Morrow, Ga., on Wednesday for game against Clayton State University.
