Reviewing and previewing local college basketball:
Augusta State's JASON MILLS. The senior guard let out all his pent-up frustration for sitting out the fall semester with a game-high 23 points against rival Paine. Mills went 7-for-12 from the field with three 3-pointers and a 6-for-7 effort from the foul line. With Mills in the lineup, the Jaguars could be one of the better teams in the Peach Belt Conference.
Columbus State. Something must be wrong with the Cougars this season. after all, they're averaging only 79 points a game - a mild number for a team known for its up-tempo offense. Earlier this month, Columbus State scored a combined 114 points in losses to South Atlantic Region foes Virginia Union and N.C. Central.
Team free-throw percentages are down in the Peach Belt this season. Only one women's team (Francis Marion) shot below 60 percent from the line last season; this season, four are. Only one men's team (again, Francis Marion) shot below 60 percent last year; this season, two are.
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference mirrors the Peach Belt with four women's teams and two men's teams below 60 percent in free-throw shooting. The Paine men (73 percent) and women (68 percent), however, lead the conference from the charity stripe.
- Benedict women at Augusta State, 2 p.m., Friday. Lady Jaguars try to add another win over an SIAC team.
- Tusculum men at Augusta State, 4 p.m., Friday. Jaguars seek revenge after suffering a 6-point loss at Tusculum.
- Armstrong Atlantic State women at USC Aiken, 5:30 p.m., Friday. Lady Pacers sport a mediocre 3-3 record at home this season.
- Armstrong Atlantic State men at USC Aiken, 7:30 p.m., Friday. Pacers are trying to snap a four-game losing skid.
1. Augusta State (3-5, 0-2). After waiting a year and a semester, center Garrett Siler flashed his potential with nine points and six boards in 13 minutes against Paine.
2. Paine (3-2, 2-0). LaTerrance Casey solid in debut with 10 points in 18 minutes.
3. Aiken Tech (7-2). The Knights still enjoying month-long break between games.
4. USC Aiken (2-5, 0-1). Kenny Burr is seventh in Peach Belt Conference 3-point shooting.
1. Augusta State (5-5, 0-2). With her strong inside play, Tamala Turner is helping turn the Lady Jaguars' season around.
2. Paine (5-2, 2-0). Lady Lions still shaking their heads over poor decision-making in the final minute against Augusta State.
3. USC Aiken (4-4, 0-1). Mindy Allee still leads the Peach Belt in field-goal percentage (.604).
Tusculum at Augusta State, 4 p.m. Friday. the Jaguars come off a satisfying win over Paine College and took a week off. With the addition of Mills and Siler last week, the Jaguars will look much different against the Greeneville, Tenn., team they lost to earlier this month.
