No. 5 Augusta State Downs Pirates, 81-52

AUGUSTA, Ga. - No. 5-ranked Augusta State opened up the game on a 20-8 run and pulled away for an 81-52 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory over visiting Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday evening at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

The Jaguars (6-0, 1-0 PBC) remained unbeaten on the young 2009-10 season, while Armstrong Atlantic (2-3, 0-1 PBC) dropped its second straight against a Top 5-ranked opponent.

Augusta State held the Pirates to just 29 percent shooting from the floor in building a 41-22 halftime advantage. The Jaguars hit 50 percent from three-point range (9-of-18) and shot 48.3 percent overall from the floor.

A quartet of Jaguars reached double figures, led by Daniel Dixon and Ben Madgen's 14 points apiece. Fred Brathwaite added 13 points and Greg Hire chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

Armstrong Atlantic was led by sophomore Chris Vanlandingham's team-high 12 points. Senior Patrick Shokpeka added 11 points and redshirt freshman David Pruett came off the bench to notch 10 points.

The Pirates will break for final exams and return to action on Tuesday, December 15, with a 7:00 p.m. non-conference contest against Allen University at Alumni Arena.