MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Khalil Green put up 31 points as Georgia College & State University came from behind in the second half to defeat Augusta University 86-76 in a Peach Belt Conference Saturday (Feb. 7) showdown in the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats improved to 14-8 and 9-5 in conference, as the Jaguars fell to 9-16 and 4-11. GCSU returns with a midweek matinee against the University of South Carolina-Aiken Wednesday (Feb. 11) at 7:30 p.m. inside the Centennial Center.
Augusta started strong, opening with a 15-8 lead in the early going, as a three-pointer from Charlie McBeath brought the lead to seven. The Bobcats played catch-up, but a jumper from Elías Pálsson brought the Augusta lead to 11.
However, foul trouble struck the Jaguars with 0:31 remaining in the half. A foul against Evan Joyner of the Jaguars later turned into two-consecutive technical fouls, giving Green six free throw attempts, to which he promptly sank five of, sending the Bobcats to half with only a two-point deficit.
Green promptly gave the Bobcats the lead to open the half, draining a three-pointer on a fastbreak, and gave the GCSU some momentum to work with. The Bobcats later went up 62-57 halfway through the second half, as C.J. Jones joined the action with back-to-back three-pointers. Jones and Green worked tirelessly to extend the Bobcat lead the rest of the way.
Green's 31 points were two away from his career-high, which he set against Augusta in the previous year, also in Milledgeville. Jones accumulated 21 points, and Tony Carpio had 14. Green also led the way in rebounds with seven, with Carpio and James Nichols III collecting six boards. Nichols had four assists.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for five consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won six consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.
