All six road teams won their Peach Belt Conference games that day. Even Georgia Southwestern posted a 10-point win at then-No. 19 Montevallo.
The Jaguars scored the final 13 points of the game to upend the Patriots and seize control in the conference as well as the East Division. Augusta State coach Dip Metress said the Peach Belt is like the NFL this season in one regard: league parity. As evidenced by Saturday's games -- five were decided by four or fewer points -- anything can happen this season.
"We can't take anything for granted. We're not as powerful as we were," Metress said. "We're just trying to win games.
"In league play, can you win your home games and steal a few on the road?"
The fifth-ranked Jaguars will try to defend their home court when they play host to Armstrong Atlantic State at 7:30 tonight. The women play at 5:30.
In December, Augusta State (12-1, 4-1) defeated the Pirates by 18 in Savannah, Ga. Armstrong Atlantic State (8-3, 2-1) played that game without guard, and team leading scorer, Chris Vanlandingham, who missed four games with a wrist injury.
Since the loss to the Jaguars, the Pirates have won six of their past seven contests. Armstrong Atlantic State pounded Flagler at home last week before knocking off USC Aiken on the road.
"They're very talented," Metress said. "They're NCAA Tournament good."
Augusta State might be NCAA Tournament good as well. The Jaguars play 10 of their final 15 regular season games at Christenberry Fieldhouse, where they own a 35-game winning streak -- the fifth-longest active streak in Division II. If Augusta State successfully defends its home court, it will not only clinch a postseason spot, but likely will hold the Southeast Regional in Augusta.
Before Augusta State can think about March, the Jaguars have to make adjustments after recording the two worst defensive outings of the season last week's games against Flagler and Francis Marion. Each team possessed larger players in the front court and the Jaguars, with centers Travis Keels and Howard Brown, had a hard time slowing them down.
"Travis and Howard are long guys but not strong guys," Metress said. "The last few years, we've had men playing around the basket for us."
Metress is looking to get more offense out of the starting backcourt duo of O'Neal Armstrong and Tye Beal, who have combined for 21 total points the past three games.
