Originally created 02/10/05

Lady Jaguars squeak by USC Aiken

By Staff Writer

Brandi Hollingsworth lay on the floor with her arms raised as her Augusta State teammates engulfed her.

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The senior guard threw in a 25-foot buzzer-beater to lift the Lady Jaguars to a 50-49 victory Wednesday night at Christenberry Fieldhouse

Hollingsworth's heroics helped the Lady Jaguars overcome a seven-point deficit the final 2:51. It marked the second time in two seasons Augusta State made a late comeback to defeat its rival.

"I knew it was crunch time and I wanted it," Hollingsworth said. "As soon as I released it, I knew I got it."

With the win, Augusta State (12-10, 6-5) moves into a tie for first place in the Peach Belt North Division with USC Aiken (16-9, 6-5). The Lady Jaguars, who shot just 31 percent, have won three of their past four and are now 8-1 at home.

"It makes us a huge target," said senior forward Latoya Ren wrick, who scored a game-high 18 for the Lady Jaguars. "We're going to have to play harder each game from here on out."

It was a crushing defeat for USC Aiken, which moved up a spot to fifth in the latest South Atlantic Region poll released Wednesday. The ranking didn't take into account the Lady Pacers' loss to Kennesaw State on Monday night, and the team is certain to free fall from the poll now.

USC Aiken played its third game in five days, and coach Mike Brandt said fatigue played a factor in the second half. He planned to give his team today off and before holding its first practice in three weeks Friday.

"I think (fatigue) was a huge factor," Brandt said. "I could see our players dragging out there."

Katie Gebhardt's lay-in with 20 seconds remaining gave the Lady Pacers a one-point lead. After Kasie Muchler's turnover with five seconds left, Augusta State fouled Kasey Mills, sending her to the line.

USC Aiken's best free-throw shooter at 73 percent, Mills made the first, but missed the second off the back iron. Andrea McCurry grabbed the board and passed ahead to Hollingsworth, who found herself thrown into the Brier Patch. At least two practices a week, Augusta State works on half-court shots. The team doesn't leave until someone connects - usually Hollingsworth or McCurry.

This time, Hollingsworth crossed midcourt and leaned in. She released the ball with 0.2 seconds remaining.

"She wanted that shot," Augusta State coach Greg Wilson said. "We all wanted that shot."

The Lady Jaguars took their first lead of the game on a McCurry 3-pointer 13 minutes into the second half.

USC AIKEN (16-9, 6-5)-LANA MANDIC 7-12 0-0 15, NOLA GRANT 3-9 0-0 4, BENAZURA SERBECIC 3-11 3-6 9, KASEY MILLS 3-9 5-6 11, MINDY ALLEE 1-5 0-0 3, BEATA SZABO 0-0 0-0 0, KATIE GEBHARDT 2-3 1-2 5, EBONI SPELLER 0-3 0-0 0. TOTALS: 19-52 9-14 49.

AUGUSTA STATE (12-10, 6-5)-TALIAH ROBERTS 1-12 2-2 4, LATOYA RENWRICK 7-16 4-4 18, CHRISTINA PEDARRE' 2-2 0-0 4, KASIE MUCHLER 0-7 0-0 0, JAMICA WYATT 2-4 0-0 4, BRANDI HOLLINGSWORTH 4-10 1-2 12, SHIRRELL FORD 0-3 2-2 2, ANDREA MCCURRY 2-4 0-0 6. TOTALS: 18-58 9-10 50.

HALFTIME: USC AIKEN 21-17 3-POINT GOALS: USC AIKEN 2-11 (MANDIC 1-2, MILLS 0-3, ALLEE 1-2, GEBHARDT 0-1, SPELLER 0-3), AUGUSTA STATE 5-14 (ROBERTS 0-1, MUCHLER 0-3, HOLLINGSWORTH 3-7, MCCURRY 2-3). REBOUNDS: USC AIKEN 35 (SERBECIC 13), AUGUSTA STATE 41 (RENWRICK 8). ASSISTS: USC AIKEN 13 (SERBECIC 4), AUGUSTA STATE 13 (MUCHLER 6). TURNOVERS: USC AIKEN 17, AUGUSTA STATE 16. FOULS: USC AIKEN 14, AUGUSTA STATE 14. FOULED OUT: NONE. A-223.