Augusta, Ga. ? The No. 6 Augusta State University Men?s Basketball Team (4-0) defeated Lenoir-Rhyne University (1-4), 70-53, Saturday afternoon at Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta, Ga.?

Augusta State, who advanced to last year?s national semifinals, was paced by Ben Madgen?s (Williamstown, AUSTRALIA) game-high 24 points.? Madgen finished eight-for-11 from the field as the Jaguars raced out to a 41-21 halftime?lead and never looked back.

Daniel Dixon (Falls Church, Va.) added 14 points for Augusta State, who ran its home winning streak to 15 games and won for the seventh time in eight all-time tries against Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Bears, who have lost four straight contests, were led by junior forward D.J. Blackmon?s (Albemarle, N.C.) 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Lenoir-Rhyne freshman guard Kameko Walls (Winston-Salem, N.C.) added nine points while senior guard Marcus Hodges (Wake Forest, N.C.) and junior guard Ja?Wan Davis (Fayetteville, N.C.) chipped in with eight points each?but the Bears posted their lowest point total of the year.

Augusta State shot 56 percent (25-of-45) from the field including 69 percent (nine-of-13) in the second half and held a 39-20 advantage in rebounding.

Lenoir-Rhyne returns home to open South Atlantic Conference play on Wednesday against league-rival Catawba beginning at 8 p.m.