Flagler beats Lander 67-62 to reach Peach Belt tournament championship game against Augusta
Flagler College earned a rubber match against Augusta University on Friday by beating Lander University (S.C.) 67-62 in the Peach Belt Conference men’s tournament semifinals at the Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, Ga.
Saturday’s championship game will match the second-seeded and defending champion Saints (23-6) against top-seeded Augusta (27-3) at 7 p.m. The teams split during the regular season, Flagler winning 79-66 at home on Jan. 29, then losing 78-65 on Feb. 19 in Augusta.
More: Flagler's Jaizec Lottie repeats as Peach Belt player of the year; Pearce is top defensive player
Augusta reached the championship game by beating Columbus State 87-75.
The Saints finished second by a game to the Jaguars after losing to South Carolina-Aiken and Lander. But Flagler got revenge for the latter loss on Friday when conference player of the year Jaizec Lottie scored a game-high 25 points, along with five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
“I loved the edge our team came out with tonight,” coach Chad Warner said. “It will take that and more tomorrow night to win the PBC title. We are excited about this opportunity.”
Flagler led 40-22 late in the first half and settled for a 42-29 lead at the break. Lander went on a 14-4 run to come within four points at 62-58 with 1:36 left but got no closer.
Jalen Barr had 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Saints. Flagler forced 17 Lander turnovers and converted them into 24 points.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaizec Lottie, Jalen Barr lead Flagler over Lander in Peach Belt semifinals
