The Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team hung with No. 8 Augusta State for 40 minutes Thursday night in the Storm Dome, but could not overcome the Jaguars' 61 percent accuracy from the field in a 76-65 defeat.

The Hurricanes played ASU even for the opening seven minutes of the contest (10-10) before the Jaguars went on a 20-3 run to take a 30-13 advantage with 6:54 remaining in the first half.  

Augusta State (16-2, 8-1 PBC) had a 14 minute stretch in the first stanza where they connected on 12 consecutive field goals - including two three-pointers - and nine free throw attempts. ASU shot 67 percent over the first 20 minutes and led 41-26 at the intermission.

The Jags led by as many as 20 points midway through the second half. GSW chipped away over the final 13:54, but could get no closer than 11.

ASU doubled up GSW on the boards (32-16), outscored the Hurricanes in the paint (34-20) and got 25 more points from their reserves (32-7).

GSW forward Chris Rawls led all scorers with 24 points. Rawls connected on 16-of-20 free-throw attempts. Marcus Scott added 17 points and six rebounds, while Evan Mobley added 11 points. The Hurricanes shot 48 percent in the second half and 42 percent overall.

Alex Smith paced Augusta State with 15 points and six rebounds, connecting on 13-of-14 free-throw attempts. Ben Madgen pitched in 14 points and Franck Ndongo tallied 13 points. 

The Hurricanes (5-13, 1-7) host Lander on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

PICTURED: Marcus Scott

PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn