Pacers to Play Host to Francis Marion in PBC Tournament Quarterfinals

2010 Peach Belt Conference Basketball Tournament Website

AIKEN, S.C. - The USC Aiken men's basketball team will begin play in the 2010 Marvin Vanover Peach Belt Conference Basketball Championship by playing host to Francis Marion at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3.
 
The Pacers are the second seed in the Peach Belt Conference East. The Pacers finished one game above PBC East third-seeded Francis Marion in the league standings to earn the home contest.
 
USC Aiken concluded its 2009-10 regular season with a 16-10 record. USC Aiken was 11-7 during the regular season in Peach Belt Conference action. Francis Marion concluded its 2009-10 season with a league record of 10-8. The Patriots were 18-9 overall. 
 
The Pacers and Patriots will be vying for a place in the 2010 PBC Basketball Championship semifinals, which will be held at the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C. on Saturday, March 6.
 
The winner of the USC Aiken-Francis Marion quarterfinal will advance to face off against the winner of the Georgia College & State-Clayton State game. The GCSU Bobcats are the top seed in the West, while Clayton State ended the year as the fourth seed in the West. 
 
USC Aiken and Francis Marion have tangled twice in the 2009-10 season with Francis Marion acquiring a victory in both of the games. The Pacers opened up their 2009-10 league campaign with an 83-73 loss to Francis Marion in Florence, S.C. on Dec. 2, 2009. 
 
Francis Marion snapped USC Aiken's season-high seven-game winning streak in the second meeting between the two on Jan. 13, 2010. The Patriots earned a 77-71 overtime victory over the Pacers. USC Aiken never trailed in the second half with FMU tying the game in the final minute to send it into overtime. The Patriots would outscore the Pacers, 11-5, in the extra frame to earn the 77-71 victory.
 
According to USC Aiken athletic records, USC Aiken and Francis Marion have squared off on the hardwood 70 times with FMU holding a 42-28 all-time series advantage. The Pacers have won four of the last six meetings between the two programs.