ASU Division II Championship game updates

Per TV, we should be tipping off here about 2:36 p.m. CBS' Tim Brando is sitting on the court about 30 feet away. I bet he's wanting to know where to find some good sweet tea around here as well.

The teams are shooting around. The arena's not full. There will be a crowd probably north of 5,000 fans.

Here come the introductions. The ASU fans are chanting "A-S-U." The biggest game in Jaguar history is about to begin. 

Winona State 13, ASU 9, 15:21 until halftime

The Warriors drained their first five shots like it was a shootaround at the local YMCA. Winona just finally missed one. Ben Madgen's scored five points for the Jags. ASU may be trying to do too much to get the ball inside to Garret Siler. One good thing: Winona's John Smith has one foul.

ASU 17, Winona State 15, 11:53 until halftime

Jaguars are taking advantage of the Warriors' doubling up on Siler. Bowman just scored on a highlight alley-oop dunk on a feed from Daniel Dixon. Siler added a hook shot. Bowman then took another pass inside from Madgen and threw it in to give the Jaguars a two-point lead.

ASU 26, Winona State 24, 7:03 halftime 

The Jaguars are playing like they've been here before. How much did that game at Georgia earlier this season help?

Bowman and Madgen are playing outstanding. Siler has been on the bench now for a several minutes. The refs, on a very questionable call, gave him a second foul when John Smith spun around him and tripped over Bowman's leg.

But Luke Tambon came in for Siler and picked up a charge on Smith, giving him two fouls. That Tambon is one scrappy dude. He's not the most talented player, but he plays with energy and gives the team good defense.

ASU 34, Winona State 26, 4:46 until halftime

Bowman's playing like Michael Jordan. He has 18 points already. He's scored eight consecutive points. Bowman drained two free throws. He added a fadeaway jumper. He probably got fouled when he scored inside again. He then added a hook shot.

The Georgia towns of Tignall and Washington have to be going absolutely crazy right now.

Bowman also forced Winona State's other great player, Jonte Flowers, to pick up his second foul.

John Smith's about to re-enter.

ASU 44, Winona State 32, Halftime

Jaguar fans, you couldn't have asked for a better half. Albeit, it could've been better. The Jaguars led by 16 with 58 seconds left until halftime. But Winona State's Cutrel Robinson made one free throw. Then, Quincy Henderson drained a 3-pointer at the end of the half to cut the lead to 12.

Bowman's played out of his mind, scoring 20 points. He probably looks even better on national television. Madgen's added 12 points. Tambon and Jason Killeen have come in and helped contain Winona State's Smith. He has six points. 

Augusta shot 70 percent from the field in the first half. The Jaguars can't keep that up, can they? ASU is cutting a path to the basket. The Jaguars have only shot three 3-pointers.

Siler returns in the second half. If he can play well, ASU may wrap this thing up. Do not get ahead of yourself, though. Twenty minutes may seem like an eternity. But if the Jaguars can play well for one more half, they can take this thing. 

USC Aiken coach Vince Alexander and his East All-Stars are being honored at halftime. The East won last night's All-Star game. Alexander's getting nice applaus from the ASU fans.

Side note: The attendance figure is 5,628, the largest championship game crowd since 1994. The total Elite Eight attendance figure is the largest since 1973.

ASU 53, Winona State 41, 15:54 remaining

The Warriors' Flowers seems to be getting in a little bit of a rhythm, though he just picked up his third foul. If he picks up a fourth foul and has to sit significant minutes, that will severely hurt Winona State's comeback bid.

Siler's scored seven of ASU's nine second-half points.

ASU 58, Winona State 56, 10:50 remaining

Bowman is on the bench with four fouls. All the momentum has swung to the Minnesota school. The Warriors are on a 20-5 run. ASU has to survive this run to win the game. The Jaguars need to get Siler involved on offense.

ASU 65, Winona State 65, 7:16 remaining

The game is a dogfight. Winona State's Smith is heating up. Bowman and Flowers each have four fouls. Bowman goes to the line with a chance to put the Jaguars ahead. He has 26. If ASU wins, Bowman's the MVP. Of course, Siler's played phenomenal in the second half.

Winona State 75, ASU 68, 3:50 remaining

Flowers just drained consecutive 3-pointers. ASU needs to go at him. The Jaguars don't need to force the issue. Getting the ball inside to Siler will be key.

Winona State 87, ASU 76, Final

There's disappointment now, but it's been one heckuva ride for the Jaguars. They had their chance. That's all you can ask for. Press conference to come.

 

ASU pre-game Division II championship blog

The teams have yet to take the floor. A spirited bunch of ASU fans wearing different shades of blue are on the other side. Winona State has a large contingent of fans. They will make noise, lots of it. It's important the Jaguars get off to a fast start to silence these people wearing purple and white body paint.

ASU the day before the national championship game

I'm not sure where to begin. I'll start with this. I sent an e-mail to Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver this morning asking him about plans for the Jaguars whether they win or lose the national championship game Saturday. Here's his response:

ASU Final Four game updates

Jaguars advance to the championship game Saturday. The ASU fans are going nuts, absolutley bonkers. What kind of party will there be in Springfield tonight?

ASU Final Four pre-game update

After Augusta State's thrilling double-overtime win over Central Oklahoma, I couldn't help myself. I went back to the room and watched the movie "Hoosiers" again. OK, I didn't watch the entire film, just a few scenes.

Augusta State in the Elite Eight

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (a.k.a. the Land of Unsweet Tea) - The Augusta State players walked into MassMutual Center about 10:30 a.m. They walked with a look of determination across the floor en route to the locker room.

Augusta State vs. Clayton State in the South Atlantic Regional championship

ASU is about to record the biggest win in school history.

USC Aiken-Lander quarterfinal game

The convocation center is packed. Pacer fans want to see if the lone remaining local team can advance. Easier said than done. Lander (10-18) is not scared of No. 5 USC Aiken.

ASU-Clayton State Peach Belt quarterfinal game

Bowman missed two shots from the perimeter in the final eight seconds. ASU off until next week's Division II Tournament.