Box Score SALISBURY, N.C.--Curt Triplin scored a game-high 23 points and Lee Burton and Minda Statkus added 20 points each to send the USC Aiken men's basketball team to a, 90-79, win over Catawba College (5-7) tonight in Salisbury, N.C. USCA (4-3) has not had three players score 20 or more points in the same game since Dec. 1, 1998 when Juan Wiley (31), Derek Moore (25) and Corey Faggins (21) turned in 20-point performances against Knoxville College.

After connecting on 40.9 percent of their shots in the first half, the Pacer came out and missed just six shots while shooting 73.9 percent (17-of-23) in the second 20 minutes. The USCA defense limited the Indians to 33.3 percent shooting in both halves.

Mike Roberts' squad just didn't take enough shots in the first half and fell behind 37-30 at the break. Catawba had 11 more shot attempts, 33-22, than the Pacers in the first period.

Jolly Manning's lay up, 12 seconds into the second half, gave the Indians their largest lead of the game, nine points, 39-30. Catawba maintained its lead for the first four minutes of the second half until Triplin and Statkus took the game over.

The duo keyed a 21-4 run over a five-minute period to turn an eight point deficit into a nine point advantage. Following a Bryant Latimer free throw, Triplin hit a lay up and two three-pointers for eight straight points to put the Pacers in front by one, 47-46, with 13:27 left in the game. The junior hit nine-of-15 shots, including three-of-four from beyond the three point arch, and two-of-four from the charity stripe for his game-high 23 points. Triplin added an assist, two blocks, a steal and 12 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double.

The two teams alternated one-point leads as Statkus hit back-to-back lay ups for USCA. A three pointer by Martynas Valaitis put the Pacers in front, 54-50, with 11:41 to play. Statkus drained a three and connected on another lay up to push the lead to nine points. The senior grabbed 12 rebounds to go along with his 20 points. 

Catawba would close within five points on two occasions, the first coming off a Duke Phipps three pointer. Phipps led the Indians with 21 points on seven-of-14 shooting. After Manning cut the lead to five points a second time, Triplin buried another trey to extend the lead back to eight, 70-62, with 5:04 left on the clock. Manning finished with 18 points and five boards.

The Pacers dished out 14 second half assists compared to just five turnovers in the final 20 minutes.

A free throw by Statkus and a lay up by Triplin gave USC Aiken its largest lead, 15 points, 86-71, with 42 seconds on the clock.

USC Aiken held a 41-39 rebounding advantage and outscored the Indians, 32-20, in the paint. Helgi Magnusson and Chris Wooldridge led Catawba with seven rebounds each.

Two free throws by Burton gave USCA its first lead of the game, 6-5, at the 14:07 mark of the first half. After Statkus tied the game for the sixth time, the Indians ran off seven straight points to take a 29-22 lead with 5:09 left before intermission. The Pacers wouldn't get any closer than five points. Manning connected on two shots from the line, with no time remaining on the clock, to set the halftime score at 37-30.

The Pacers will take two days off before hosting the 2003 Conoco Phillips Christmas Classic sponsored by United Energy Distributors on Thursday and Friday at "The Courthouse" in Aiken, S.C. Augusta State and Mount Olive College will open this year's classic at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. USC Aiken will take on Tusculum College at 8:00 p.m. On Friday, ASU will play Tusculum at 6:00 p.m. and the Pacers will face Mount Olive at 8:00 p.m.

SCORING:
Catawba College (79): Jolly Manning 18, Helgi Magnusson 9, Timo Verwimp 4, Ahmad Murphy 4, Duke Phipps 21, Brian Frasier 3, Jorvewe Gibson 0, Marcus Reddick 5, James McLean 0, Brian Graves 5, Chris Wooldridge 9, Andy Thomson 1

USC Aiken (90): Curt Triplin 23, Minda Statkus 20, Mira Jonuska 2, Bryant Latimer 5, Lee Burton 20, Trent Boyd 6, Martynas Valaitis 9, Leroy Williams 2, Jamall Gray 3