AUGUSTA, Ga.
– Augusta State exploded for a season-high 58 points in the
second half Wednesday night and rolled to a 97-67 Peach Belt
Conference victory over Flagler in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Three Jaguars reached the 20-point mark, including Ben Madgen, who
drilled four 3-pointers and finished with 21 points. Fred
Brathwaite booked 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, while
Daniel Dixon hit four 3-pointers and netted a season-high 20 points
-- all in the second half -- and added five assists and three
steals.
Senior forward Alex Smith registered 15 points in the first 13:03
of the game and collected five rebounds and four assists. Senior
forward Greg Hire pitched in six points, five assists and four
rebounds.
Junior guard John Pietkiewicz paced the Saints (5-5, 1-1) with a
game-high 22 points, and Chad July managed 10 points.
With the victory, the third-ranked Jags extended the best start in
school history, improving to 12-0 overall and 4-0 in the PBC. ASU
stretched its regular-season winning streak to 21 games and its
conference streak to 13 straight. The victory was also the 21st
straight home win for the Jags and the 18th straight home
conference win.
Leading 39-33 at the break, ASU connected on 12 of its first 15
attempts in the second half and shot nearly 64 percent after
halftime. The Jags set season highs for points scored, 3-pointers
made (10) and assists (25). The Jags recorded a season-low six
turnovers, including just one in the second half.
Madgen's effort moved the Williamstown, Australia native
within nine points of establishing a new ASU scoring record. With
1,887 career points, he needs only eight points to match the
all-time mark set by former Jaguar standout Derek Stewart (1,895),
who played from 1989-93.
ASU's 97 points were the most scored in Christenberry
Fieldhouse since a 103-56 victory over UNC Pembroke on Jan. 18,
2003, a span of 95 home games.
The contest marked the first-ever meeting between the Jags and
Saints.
The Jags host Francis Marion (11-1, 3-0) on Saturday, Jan. 9 at
7:30 p.m., in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
