Augusta State Upends Shaw 88-70 in NCAA Regional

FLORENCE, S.C. – Fifth-seeded Augusta State provided the first upset of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic women’s basketball regional tournament Friday when the Lady Jaguars used a 27-7 run in the final 10 minutes of the game to defeat fourth-seeded Shaw, 88-70, in a quarterfinal game at Francis Marion’s Smith University Center.

The Jaguars improve to 20-9 overall and will face top-seeded Wingate at 6 p.m., Saturday, in the tournament semifinal round. Shaw ends the season at 21-12.

Jasmine Godwin led five Augusta State players in double figures with 14 points. Sherika Parker added 13 points, while Kenisha Sheppard and Nicole Mealing scored 11 each and Deo Ngulela netted 10. Parker had a team-high eight rebounds, while Ngulela dished off seven assists.

Shana Andrus led Shaw, the winner of the CIAA Conference tournament, with a game-high 16 points, while Jamie Goshen netted 15 and Nicky Souter 10.

Shaw, which trailed 41-36 at halftime, tied the game at 43-43 on a Souter field goal with 17:58 remaining in the game.

The Lady Bears inched out to their biggest lead of the game at 61-56 when NaKeisha Anthony scored off a Jessica Davis steal.

After the Lady Jags closed the gap to 61-60 on a Tracey Paschal jumper at 11:51, ASU dominated the remainder of the game.

For the game, ASU connected on 31-of-63 field goals for 49.2 percent, including 10-of-22 three pointers for 45.5 percent. The Lady Jaguars made 16-of-25 free throws for 64 percent.

Shaw made 28-of-66 floor shots for 42.4 percent, including 4-of-14 three pointers for 28.6 percent. The Lady Bears, who outrebounded Augusta 43-37, made 10-of-16 free throws for 62.5 percent.

The two teams traded baskets for the first three minutes of the game then the Lady Jaguars, who shot 50 percent in the first half, went on a 7-0 run to take a 15-7 lead on a Paschal basket with 15:02 left.

Augusta State’s biggest lead of the first half was 34-22 on a Brittany Jarrard three pointer with 4:47 remaining.

Shaw, which shot 45.7 percent from the field in the half, cut the margin to 38-36 with 1:28 left on a layup by Nickey Souter.