Anderson Suffers Setback in Southeast Regional Semifinals

#8 Augusta 81, #5 Anderson 73

GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Anderson University women's basketball team hoped the Sweet Sixteen would be even sweeter the second time around.

But a devastating fourth quarter on Saturday in the 2016 Southeast Region semifinals prevented the Trojans from getting that far.

Just under a year after earning a spot in the Sweet Sixteen at Timken Center the Trojans came up short at the same venue, falling to Augusta, 81-73, in a game that ended with a stunning turnaround.

The tourney's No. 8 seed used a 14-0 spurt late in the third quarter and early in the fourth to flip the script on a contest that – for three quarters – was all Anderson.

But the Jaguars were unstoppable over the final 10 minutes, outscoring the No. 4 seed 28-12 to continue their unlikely run in the Division II Dance.

AU finishes the season at 23-7 while Augusta improves to 24-8.

"That was a great college basketball game," Anderson coach Jimmy Garrity said. "I thought we came out of the gate on fire, but then in the fourth quarter they went zone and shot the ball very well. We got great looks but to go on a championship run it takes making plays and taking care of the ball a little bit better."

Anderson gave up 22 points on 17 turnovers and got just nine bench points to 31 for Augusta.

After stunning top seed and previously unbeaten Limestone to open the tourney, Augusta will face No. 7 seed Francis Marion on Monday in an all-Cinderella regional final.

FMU toppled No. 3 seed Columbus State 67-58 in Saturday's other semifinal.

Alexis Dillard led the Trojans with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Jennifer Monroe added 15 points and Madison Floyd scored 12.

Rounding out AU scorers were Heather Jankowy (8), Nakia Young (8), Katie Davis (7) and Erika Martin (2).

"I could not be more proud," Garrity said. "The year in total, we won the regular season championship back to back in the South Atlantic Conference, and we did it with a lot of high character people. That's a sad locker room right now because they don't want to let each other down, but that group of 14 (players) is who I want on my team."

Breonna O'Conner was brilliant for the winners, going 13 of 18 from the field and finishing with 32 points.

Other double digit Jags were Joshlyn Belcher (18) and Cynara Pitt (12).

AU took charge early in the first quarter, going on a 10-0 run that was bookended by a pair of Jankowy threes. Augusta remained calm and found its shooting touch midway through the frame, but the Trojans led 27-20 after 10 minutes.

Anderson was able to extend its lead in the second, finishing the frame with a 45-35 lead.

The Jaguars were able to trim the deficit down to four with under three minutes left but the Trojans were money from the free throw line down the stretch, halting Augusta's momentum.

With 20 minutes in the books Dillard already had 12 points.

Dillard and Monroe gave the Jags all kinds of trouble in the third, swapping inside baskets and helping Garrity's team maintain a solid edge.

When the horn signaled one to go Anderson was in front, 61-53.

But the Jaguars used the final stanza to make up for all the frustration they had endured for the first 30 minutes.

SAC Player of the Year Jennifer Monroe, a senior, said her school once again showed it belonged among the nation's elite.

"Anderson is no longer a team, it's a program," Monroe said. "I had a wonderful experience here and I know there will be players who will step up and lead."