LAGRANGE, Ga. --- Asbury men's basketball (6-20, 4-8 CCS) concluded their 2025-26 campaign on Tuesday night against LaGrange (15-11, 5-7 CCS), falling in the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) quarterfinals 91-80.
Asbury University knocked down 16 three-pointers and shot better than 50 percent from the field, but LaGrange used a decisive advantage on the glass and at the free-throw line to hand the Eagles the 91-80 road loss Tuesday night.
The Eagles trailed just 39-35 at halftime after a back-and-forth first half that featured six lead changes. Asbury briefly went in front 35-34 on a Cam Jones 3-pointer with 1:29 left in the half, but LaGrange closed the frame on a 5-0 run capped by an Austen Colton triple in the final minute to reclaim momentum heading into the locker room.
LaGrange extended that surge immediately after the break, opening the second half with a layup from Trenton Dillard and another Colton three-pointer to stretch the lead to 45-37. Midway through the second half, Dowell's three -pointer at the 12:32 mark pushed the margin to 54-42 and gave the Panthers their first double-digit cushion.
The Eagles continued to answer from the perimeter, but LaGrange's ability to generate extra possessions and get to the line consistently kept Asbury from mounting a sustained run.
Dowell helped seal the outcome in the closing minute. With AU still within striking distance, he threw down a dunk with 44 seconds remaining to make it 87-78, then knocked down two free throws with 21 seconds left to arrive at the 91-80 final. LaGrange finished 28-for-35 at the line, while Asbury attempted just nine free throws, converting six.
Offensively, the Eagles were efficient throughout. Asbury shot 29-for-57 (50.9 percent) from the field and 16-for-34 (47.1 percent) from beyond the arc, moving the ball for 19 assists on 29 made baskets.
Jordan Lewis led that playmaking effort with 15 points on 6-for-12 shooting and four assists. Tyler Hall also scored 15, and Lual Ayiei turned in a standout two-way performance with 15 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and four blocks.
However, LaGrange controlled the interior and the turnover battle. The Panthers owned a 47-32 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive boards, and forced 17 Asbury turnovers while committing only seven. Those extra chances offset LaGrange's 37.8 percent shooting from the floor and 26.9 percent mark from 3-point range.
Colton paced LaGrange with 19 points, including five 3-pointers, and six assists, while Dillard added 16 points and seven rebounds and Dowell finished with 15 points and five boards.
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Tyler Hall | 15 PTS (6-9 FG), 4 REB, 4 AST
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Lual Ayiei | 15 PTS (3-3 3PT), 14 REB, 4 BLK
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Jordan Lewis | 15 PTS, 4 AST, 4 REB
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Isaiah Stephan | 11 PTS (3-6 3PT)
That concludes the 2025-26 season for Asbury men's basketball.
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