USC Aiken falls to Augusta State

AIKEN -- The game plan worked the first time. And freshman forward Roberto Aufiero knew it would work again.

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Augusta State used its size advantage to score almost at will inside the paint. The Jaguars shot 71 percent from the floor in the second half and extended their winning streak to five games Wednesday night with a 81-62 victory over USC Aiken at the Courthouse.

"I think we had kind of a mismatch down there," Aufiero said. "Our goal was to go to the boards."

Augusta State grabbed 16 more rebounds than the Pacers in their earlier meeting. This time, the teams tied with 24 rebounds apiece. Then again, the Jaguars missed just seven shots after halftime, going 17-for-24 from the field.

Aufiero and freshman guard Cameron Tovey each scored a game-high 17 points as five Augusta State players reached double digits scoring. Karim Telfer added 15 points and eight assists, while Jason Mills had 13 points and Clarence Brown 10.

Augusta State (16-10, 9-6) has won six in a row against its Peach Belt rival, including the past three in Aiken. The Jaguars improved to 6-1 in February.

With the victory, the Jaguars stayed alive for a possible at-large berth for the Division II Tournament, climbing to 10th in the South Atlantic Region rankings Wednesday.

Augusta State ends its regular season at home Saturday against Francis Marion.

The Jaguars will play host to the conference tournament next week.

"We've had some great wins, especially at home," Metress said. "Wizard of Oz, man. There's no place like home."

By getting to the basket with relative ease, the Jaguars took advantage at the foul line.

Augusta State went 20-for-28 from the free-throw stripe, while USC Aiken was just 3 of 5.

"They're so big inside," Pacers coach Steve Franklin said. "When we have smaller kids on them, they're just going to power up and foul them."

With one more defeat, USC Aiken (6-19, 2-13) will notch its second 20-loss season in the past three years. The Pacers have lost nine in a row and have yet to defeat a conference opponent other than UNC Pembroke.

Augusta State closed the first half on an 11-2 run. The Jaguars made six free throws in the final 1:15 before halftime and took a 38-32 at the break.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com

AUGUSTA STATE (16-10, 9-6)ñClarence Brown 4-5 2-2 10, Tyrekus Bowman 2-5 0-0 4, Cameron Tovey 5-5 5-5 17, Karim Telfer 5-8 2-2 15, Jason Mills 4-8 3-7 13, Jamie Quarles 0-0 0-0 0, Dean Brebner 1-1 1-1 3, Roberto Aufiero 5-8 7-9 17, Larry Diamond 1-3 0-2 2. Totals: 27-43 20-28 81.

USC AIKEN (6-19, 2-13)ñJosh Geyer 7-11 0-0 15, Kenny Burr 5-8 0-0 13, Arnold Coates 5-6 0-0 10, Richard Blocker 4-11 2-2 13, Trent Boyd 1-1 0-0 2, Anthony Sampson 1-1 0-0 2, Josh Poston 1-6 1- 3, Marcus Robinson 1-3 0-2 2, Franchot Brown 0-4 0-0 0, Richard Glover 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 26-54 3-5 62.

Halftime: Augusta State 38-32 3-point goals: Augusta State 7-11 (Tovey 2-2, Telfer 3-4, Mills 2-4, Diamond 0-1), USC Aiken 7-17 (Geyer 1-1, Burr 3-5, Blocker 3-8, Poston 0-3). Rebounds: Augusta State 24 (Brown 4), USC Aiken 24 (Blocker 7). Assists: Augusta State 20 (Telfer 8), USC Aiken 19 (Boyd 9). Turnovers: Augusta State 17, USC Aiken 22. Fouls: Augusta State 12, USC Aiken 20. Fouled out: none. A-1,589.