GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Augusta State picked up a key non-conference road win Saturday, defeating Tusculum for a 79-68 victory in the inaugural SAC/Peach Belt Conference Challenge in Pioneer Arena.

With the victory, the No. 4 Jaguars improved to 7-0 on the season and matched the best start in program history, first set during the 1972-73 season. The win -- ASU's eighth straight on the road -- also marked the 700th victory in the men's basketball program's 45-year history.

Seniors Daniel Dixon and Fred Brathwaite tallied 17 points each, Ben Madgen booked 16 points and senior Alex Smith turned in 13 points. Dixon drained four 3-pointers and Brathwaite grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

Wes Taylor and Jimmy Boone led Tusculum (5-5) with 19 points each while Rob Troutman managed 15 points. All- American guard Kyle Moore, who entered the game leading the South Atlantic Conference at over 23 points per game, was held to just 11 points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field.

The Jags shot 59 percent in the opening half and 53 percent for the game. ASU was outrebounded for the first time this season, 25-21, but connected on a season-high 32-of-39 free throws.

The Jags, who led 36-28 at the half, committed a season-low 10 turnovers. The contest was a rematch of last season's NCAA Southeast Regional quarterfinal nailbiter in Christenberry Fieldhouse, a game ASU won 62-60.

The Jags host Clayton State in a PBC showdown on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., in Christenberry Fieldhouse.