Payback came in the form of a Karim Telfer jumper Wednesday night.
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Augusta State's Karim Telfer tries to drive past Roland Williams. Telfer hit a 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left to give the Jaguars a 75-73 win over the Bobcats at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.
Michael Holahan/Staff
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Augusta State's Roberto Aufiero tries to shoot over Georgia College & State's Aaron Clark during the Jaguars' 75-73 win Wednesday.
Michael Holahan/Staff
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Telfer knocked down a 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds remaining to lift North No. 3 seed Augusta State to a 75-73 win over South No. 6 seed Georgia College & State in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Jaguars, now 12-1 at home, move on to play South No. 2 seed Clayton State (18-12) at 8 p.m. Friday.
"It's a challenge," Telfer said. "We just have to stay confident in our abilities."
The victory avenged the Jaguars' 69-68 last-second loss to the Bobcats, Feb. 5. Since that defeat, Augusta State has ridden a seven-game winning streak.
"I'm not sure if it's revenge," Jaguars coach Dip Metress said. "We just didn't play well down there."
Augusta State (18-10) played well at the right time after entering as the No. 8 team in the South Atlantic Region. At the conclusion of tournament play Sunday, a selection committee will choose the top eight teams for the NCAA Division II Tournament.
"The only thing we're focusing on is Clayton on Friday," Metress said. "We'll let the chips fall where they may."
The Jaguars, who led by nine at halftime, watched a 14-point second-half lead disappear. Georgia College & State (13-15) used a 13-3 run in the final four minutes to take their first lead since the first half.
Andre Smith stole a Cameron Tovey pass and drove downcourt for a fast-break dunk to knot the game at 72-all with 50 seconds remaining. Smith later added one of two free throws to push the Bobcats ahead.
Augusta State called a timeout and set up a final play with 13.2 seconds left. Metress wanted to put the ball in Tovey's hands with this game plan: drive to the basket for a layup or pass out to Telfer.
Tovey took the ball from Telfer and drove the right side of the lane, but a wall of defenders stood in his way. He dished back to an open Telfer on the wing. The junior guard stepped up and drained his seventh 3-pointer of the game. Augusta State led by two.
"I was just hoping he'd bail me out from the pass I made before," Tovey said. "I was confident taking that shot," Telfer said. "Things just went our way."
Telfer scored a game-high 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting from three-point range. Roberto Aufiero chipped in 17 points and six boards, while Tovey added 14 points, seven assists and six boards.
Augusta State shot 49 percent from the floor and went 10-for-18 from the perimeter. The Jaguars dished out 15 assists against 10 turnovers.
