Box Score GREENEVILLE, TN--Playing their second game in less than 24 hours, the USC Aiken Pacers (0-2) dropped an 80-66 decision at Tusculum College (2-0) in men's non-conference basketball on Sunday evening in Greeneville, Tenn. USCA held a 30-21 halftime edge but a furious Pioneer second half rally proved to be too much. 

Minda Statkus was 7-of-10 from the field to lead five Pacers in double figures with 17 points. Todd Williams added 13 points while Lee Burton and Bryant Latimer each chipped in 11. Curt Triplin just missed a double double with 10 points and eight rebounds. 

The Pioneers opened the game cold and quickly fell behind 11-0. Tusculum first got on the board at the 13:05 mark on a Cliff Charles field goal. Charles finished with eight points. USCA held its biggest lead with less than four minutes left in the first half at 28-15. 

After shooting 34.6 percent in the first half, the Pioneers connected on a blistering 73.9 percent of its field goals in the second stanza (17-of-23) including 4-of-7 from the three-point line. Tusculum also helped itself out at the charity stripe draining 21-of-28 second half attempts (75.0 percent). 

A 20-6 run to open the second half gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game and they would not relinquish it. 

USC Aiken shot 42.1 percent for the game including 4-of-14 from deep and 14-of-23 at the stripe. Both teams committed 20 turnovers while Tusculum won the battle of the boards 35-31. 

Brad Hawks led Tusculum off the bench with 21 points and eight rebounds. Jonathon Shepherd added 15 points while Donald Sexton and Greg McIntosh each chipped in 13 points. 

USC Aiken continues its road swing on Friday, November 28 when they play Presbyterian at 6:00 PM in Greenwood, S.C. as part of the PBC/SAC Clash. 

SCORING:
USC Aiken (66): Minda Statkus 17, Todd Williams 13, Lee Burton 11, Bryant Latimer 11, Curt Triplin 10, Leroy Williams 2, Trent Boyd 2

Tusculum (80): Brad Hawks 21, Jonathon Shepherd 15, Greg McIntosh 13, Donald Sexton 13, Cliff Charles 8, Drew Harmon 5, Eric Roberson 4, Douglas Tshomba 1.