AIKEN, S.C. – March 8, 2009 – In a Peach Belt
Conference Tournament championship game that more than lived up to
its pre-game billing, the fifth-ranked Augusta State Jaguars won a
thrilling 65-64 victory over 17th-ranked USC Aiken on Sunday at The
Convocation Center.
This marks the third Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship
for Augusta State (26-4), and the Jaguars’ first tournament
championship since 2002. It’s also the first PBC Tournament
championship for fifth-year Augusta State head coach Dip
Metress.
It’s the first time that the Peach Belt Conference regular
season champion also won the tournament championship since Kennesaw
State pulled it off in 2004.
The game featured 11 ties and 13 lead-changes, and neither team
had more than a six-point lead throughout. In the second half
alone, there were nine ties and 11 lead-changes.
Augusta State built a 52-47 lead on a put-back by Caleb Brown with
8:54 left. Senior center Garrett Siler stretched the lead to six
points on a 3-point play at the 8:36 mark. However, USC Aiken
(23-7) rallied with an 8-0 run as the Pacers took a 57-55 lead on a
driving lay-up by Javonte Clanton.
The Jaguars regained the lead on two Ben Madgen free throws with
2:53 remaining, but USC Aiken countered with a jump shot off the
glass by Josh Dollard to take a 64-62 lead at the 2:03 mark.
That would be the final field goal scored by either team down the
stretch. Madgen put Augusta State back up for good with two free
throws with 1:25 remaining, but there was plenty of drama and
excitement in the waning moments.
USC Aiken had two opportunities to go in front. However, Chris
Commons missed an open 3-point attempt with 58 seconds remaining.
And after getting a key defensive stop, Cordaryl Ballard had an
open alley in the lane in the final seconds, but his short
five-footer was off the mark.
Madgen sealed his Peach Belt Conference Tournament Most Valuable
Player honors with 23 points for Augusta State. Siler scored 13
points and Daniel Dixon added 10 points for Augusta State.
For USC Aiken, Clanton scored 16 points, followed by Ballard with
15 points. Dollard and Commons each scored 14 points for the
Pacers.
Joining Madgen, Dixon, Commons and Dollard on the All-Tournament
team was Shaun Keaton from Georgia College and Calvin Wilson from
Armstrong Atlantic.
Boxscore
PBC Tournament Game Quotes – Game 18 –
Augusta State vs. USC Aiken
USCA Head Coach Vince
Alexander
“The big difference was the couple of possessions down the
stretch that we didn’t get the shot that we wanted. We were
trying to get some things inside and we weren’t able to get
that.”
“I told them I was proud of them. They came out and battled
four overtimes yesterday, we left at 1:00 in the morning. But they
came in this gym today and were ready to go. They battled. They
were tired, you could see it. But, its adrenaline. Its heart. And
that’s what its going to come down to, you have to
battle.”
“The depth in this conference is incredible. You think about
the four teams in the semifinals, there could have been three more
here, too.”
On the final play: “We were trying to get a lob to
Brian Egwatu. They did what we thought they would do, which is to
bite on Brian, leaving Cody (Ballard) wide open. Its just
unfortunate that he missed the shot, but that’s just the way
it goes sometimes.”
USCA’s Javonte
Clanton
On fatigue after 4 OT game Saturday night: “No, fatigue was
not a factor. I mean, its championship Sunday, with the adrenaline
pumping, you really don’t feel it. We played hard to the last
minute, its just unfortunate that we didn’t come out with the
win.”
“Obviously we’re disappointed that we didn’t win
a conference championship, but you have to realize that we have
bigger goals. We wanted to win a conference championship but our
ultimate goal when we set out in September is a national
championship. We can’t get too high or too low about
this.”
“We know we can play with anybody. The thing now is to not
get down, stay positive.”
Augusta State Head Coach
Dip Metress
“That was a fun win. We were able to maintain our composure,
for the most part. It was a great win because they are a tough
matchup for us with their personnel.”
“It was a physical game, we told them during the timeout that
it wasn’t the first shot that was going to beat us,
it’s the second shot that’s going to beat us.
It’s a credit to our players.”
“There was a bunch of men playing out there tonight, it
wasn’t for little kids.”
ASU’s Ben
Madgen
On the last play. “I was running in for a rebound
and tripped over somebody’s foot and was on the ground.
That’s why I was at the top of the key when the long rebound
came to me. So, when I got the ball I just started running as fast
as I can. I wasn’t sure what the defender was going to do, so
I thought that running out the clock would be the best thing. It
was a phenomenal feeling, one of the best that I’ve had since
I’ve been here. It was a great team effort.”
ASU’s Garret
Siler
“I knew it was going to be real physical game. Coach said
it, everybody else was saying it. I got some stupid fouls, but most
of the plays were just physical. To say the least.”
Baseball
About the PBC
