Jets defeat Georgia Highlands College 80 – 79 with last second free throw
Jalexs Ewing, a freshman guard from Augusta, GA, hit a free throw with 2.1 seconds remaining to allow the ÆÞÓÑÖ±²¥ Jets to take an 80 – 79 victory over Georgia Highlands College in a crucial Georgia Intercollegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) conference match-up. The Jets are currently 9 – 6 in the conference and in a three-way tie for third place.
Ewing made the Jets last five points in the final forty-five seconds to lift the Jets to the 80 – 79 victory. The final three points came in an old-fashioned three-point play. He was fouled on a successful layup and sank the free-throw with 2.1 seconds to secure the win.
He was also the leading scorer for the Jets with 25 points. He was six of 11 from the field, one of one from the three-point line and 10 of 13 from the foul line. He was paced by Hendrens Bartelus and Daryl Bod who added 14 points each. Those two also tied for leading rebounders with six rebounds each.
Other Jets who contributed points included: Illich Yacaman with nine, Dwight Brown with eight, and Matt Mbole and Aiden Fitzgerald with four points each. Darius Willis closed out the scoring with two points.
The Jets will host Gordon College on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the last regular season contest. This is Sophomore Day for the Jets and Lady Jets. The sophomore presentation will begin around 2:30 p.m., prior to the game.
The Jets are in a must-win situation Saturday if they hope to host a quarter-final round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XVII end of the season tournament. Gordon, East Georgia and South Georgia Tech all have identical 9 – 6 records. East Georgia College won the second match-up against South Georgia Tech and will have the advantage in head to head competition. The winner of the Gordon and South Georgia Tech game Saturday will capture the other spot in the playoffs and be eligible to host a quarter-final game.
The first quarterfinal game for the men’s Division I group will be held on Tuesday, March 11th. The top four teams will host those games with the first place team hosting the eighth place team, second place will host the seventh, third will host sixth place finishes and four will host fifth place squad. The highest ranked team after Tuesday will host the semi-finals and finals on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.
The Lady Jets will host their last regular season contest tonight, Friday, March 7th at 5:30 p.m. when they host Andrew College. The Lady Jets are currently first in the GCAA Division 1 women’s standings and will host the NJCAA Region XVII tournament which begins on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m. The Lady Jets received a bye in the quarter-final round and will host the winner of the Central Georgia Tech – Andrew College game. The winner between East Georgia State, Southern Crescent and Albany Tech will play at 8 p.m. on Thursday March 13. The championship game is set for Friday, March 14 at 6 p.m. with the winning teams advancing.