AUGUSTA, Ga.
– Augusta State used a 26-8 run over the final 10 minutes of
the first half Thursday night to cruise to an 85-54 non-conference
victory over Paine College in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
With the victory, the No. 5 Jaguars improved to 5-0 on the season
and are off to their best start since the 1972-73 season. The win
was the 16th straight at home for ASU, and the 13th straight,
regular-season home win.
Ben Madgen tallied a game-high 20 points in only 17 minutes of
floor time, while Fred Brathwaite booked 15 points, six rebounds
and two blocks and Alex Smith managed 14 points. Junior Howard
Brown matched Brathwaite for the team lead in rebounds with six and
sophomore Tye Beal had a team-best four assists and two steals.
"You always want to get better and, for the most part, I
think we did a good job of that tonight," ASU head coach Dip
Metress said. "The conference (schedule) starts this weekend
and those games will always be different. You've got to take
care of home court. It's a little different this year in that
we'll still be playing non-conference games after we start
playing in conference."
Julian English paced the Lions (2-2) with 13 points and Geno Green
added 12.
All 13 Jaguars who suited up saw at
least five minutes of action. ASU got 26 points from its bench, and
outscored Paine 30-10 in the paint. The Jags shot 46 percent in the
game, including 57 in the second half, and owned the edge on the
glass, 42-32.
ASU kicks off Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 5,
hosting Armstrong Atlantic State in a doubleheader slated to begin
at 5:30 p.m., with the women's contest.
