Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman began the season on the bench.

A heart condition forced Augusta State's senior forward to undergo surgery two months before the season, and he missed much of the preseason. He didn't start until the Jaguars' home opener.

On Tuesday night, Bowman played his final game at Christenberry Field-house. He went out in style, scoring a game-high 27 points to lead the Jaguars to an 89-72 victory over Clayton State in the South Atlantic Regional.

"Now I need a new one," Bowman said with a laugh when asked about his heart condition.

The win puts Augusta State in the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.

"At the beginning of the season things were tough, but I had great teammates to help me keep my head up," Bowman said. "This season we overcame a lot of things, and that made the difference for us."

Bowman was named the tournament's most valuable player. In the three games, he scored 82 points.

Augusta State trailed by eight late in the first half, but a closing run that included 3-pointers by Bowman and Ben Madgen gave the Jaguars a 42-37 lead at halftime.

When play resumed, Bowman scored 10 of Augusta State's first 14 points, including eight in a row at one point.

Clayton State couldn't find a way to stop him.

"It's tough. He can do a lot of things," Clayton State's Michael Sloan said. "He can go inside and outside. He's a tough guy to guard."

Clayton State tried to rally, but Augusta State continued to pull away.

The defining moment came with 2:05 to play, with Clayton State in a full-court press. Madgen spotted Bowman behind the defenders and threw a long pass to Bowman, who broke away for a two-handed, reverse dunk.

The crowd erupted.

"It wasn't over 'til the horn sounded," Bowman said with a grin. "It felt like it was over, but we just wanted to be safe."

It was the third game in a row Madgen and Bowman had hooked up on a highlight-reel dunk.

"Every game 'B' hit me with a pass," Bowman said. "Like I said, he's got great court vision."

Bowman said he prefers to set aside the individual accomplishments.

In addition to his award Tues-day night, he was named Peach Belt Conference co-Player of the Year.

After all, he has the Elite Eight to focus on now.

"It means the world," Bowman said. "I can't put it into words."