The Saint Augustine’s University men’s and women’s basketball teams are looking to revamp their programs this year after rocky, up-and-down seasons last year.
Coach Rachel Bullard and the Lady Falcons have been working extremely hard to improve last season’s 13-14 record. Juniors Regime McCombs and Porscha Walton have been proving that they are one of the top backcourts in the CIAA. Leading the team, the two lightning quick guards are currently averaging 13 and 12 ppg respectively. The Lady Falcons have also seen major strides in the performance of inside bruiser, Terri Jacobs. She has been showing all season that she is worthy of a first-team, all-CIAA selection come late February, averaging 12 ppg, along with an astonishing 10 rebounds per game.
As for first-year Head Coach MarQus Johnson and the men’s basketball team, the Falcons have been playing well, for the most part, so far this year. After finishing last year in sixth place in the CIAA Southern Division, the Falcons began the season f with blowout wins against College of Faith, Virginia Lynchburg, and Belmont Abbey College.
The Falcons are fortunate enough to have CIAA scoring leader Raheem Jolliffe. He has been scorching team after team this season, and is currently averaging 18 ppg, while his backcourt mate Anthony Gaskins has chipped in with 13 ppg, as well as averaging five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Freshman Quincy January has demonstrated that he is one of the most exciting players in the CIAA, controlling the paint with thunderous dunks and blocks. He is currently averaging 11 points and seven rebounds.
Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are hoping for strong finishes for this season. They are sitting in the middle of the standings in the Southern Division and are looking for win streaks to spark them into high gear come tournament time at the end of February.
— Jordan Baber
