Jags 2 wins away from title after triumphing in 2 OTs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. --- Six months removed from heart surgery, Augusta State All-American forward Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman best summed up Wednesday's Elite Eight game.

• Photos

Back | Next

Michael Holahan/Staff

Fans cheer as their Augusta State Jaguars are introduced before the game against Central Oklahoma in Springfield, Mass.

Back | Next

Michael Holahan/Staff

Augusta State's Daniel Dixon (from left), Luke Tambon, coach Dip Metress and assistant Lenny Carlson cheer after Tyrekus "A.J." Bowman is fouled making a shot in overtime en route to a 106-104 win.

"If it comes down to this tomorrow," he said, "I don't know if I'm going to make it."

The 10th-ranked Jaguars overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 1:57 in regulation to shock No. 21 Central Oklahoma, 106-104, in double overtime.

Augusta State, making its deepest postseason run ever, advanced to play No. 4 Alaska-Anchorage at 6 tonight in the Division II Final Four. If they win, the Jaguars will play in Saturday's national championship game.

Heart and determination helped Augusta State overcome a 14-point deficit with 10:57 left. The Jaguars closed on a 16-6 run. A Bowman free throw tied the game at 83 with 10 seconds remaining.

In the first overtime, Augusta State trailed by six with three minutes to go. Mr. Bowman and Garret Siler each hit one free throw in the final 25 seconds to send it to a second overtime.

Mr. Bowman, a senior who had a procedure to cover three holes in his heart in September, opened the second overtime with a 3-pointer. He finished with 22 points, 17 after halftime.

Mr. Siler, a Richmond Academy graduate, matched a career high with 31 points. He made all eight of his shots after halftime.

"You hate to see anybody lose this type of game," Augusta State head coach Dip Metress said. "It was a game of not great execution on our part, but our guys hung in there."