Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken's men's basketball team fell to Tusculum College, 84-68, tonight at "The Courthouse" in Aiken, S.C. The Pacers played the second game of the 2003 Conoco Phillips Christmas Classic sponsored by United Energy Distributors. In the opening game, Mount Olive defeated Augusta State University, 71-50. Lee Burton led USCA (4-4) with 17 points. Cliff Charles scored a game-high 19 points for the Pioneers (7-2).

Tusculum shot 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the field in the second half and 58.9 percent (33-of-56) for the game. USC Aiken connected on just 12-of-33 shots in the first half for 36.4 percent and fell behind by 14 at the break, 45-31. 

A free throw by Minda Statkus brought the Pacers to within nine, 25-16, with 7:30 on the clock after trailing by as many as 12 points in the games opening 12 minutes. Two baskets from Greg McIntosh and a jumper by Brad Hawks pushed Tusculum back out in front by 15, 31-16, with 4:46 to go before intermission. Hawks, who led TC to a win over USCA in an earlier match-up this season, finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four steals tonight.

Burton scored eight of his team-best 17 points during an 11-5 Pacer run, inside the final four minutes of the first half. His three pointer with 1:18 to play brought USC Aiken to within eight, 39-31, but six unanswered points by Tusculum in the final minute pushed the advantage back to 14 and USCA never threatened again.

The Pioneers led by as many as 24 points in the second half. Charles hit seven-of-nine shots from the field, five-of-six from the free throw line and added eight boards to go along with his game-high 19 points. Andrew Harmon scored 17 points and McIntosh finished with 10. 

Statkus, Curt Triplin and Leroy Williams each finished with eight rebounds for USC Aiken. Statkus added 13 points and Triplin chipped in 11. TC held a 34-33 rebounding advantage for the game.

USCA shot slightly better in the second half, hitting on 41.4 percent (12-of-29) and finished the game having made 24-of-62 from the field for 38.7 percent. 

The Pacers return to action tomorrow for day two of the Conoco Phillips Christmas Classic, sponsored by United Energy Distributors. USC Aiken will play Mount Olive College at 8:00 p.m. Augusta State faces Tusculum in the first game, set to begin at 6:00 p.m.

SCORING:
Tusculum College (84): Greg McIntosh 10, Andrew Harmon 17, Brad Hawks 14, Jonathon Shepherd 2, Cliff Charles 19, Donald Sexton 6, Mason Glick 7, Douglas Tshomba 3, Bobby Ewing 6

USC Aiken (68): Minda Statkus 13, Mira Jonuska 7, Curt Triplin 11, Bryant Latimer 6, Lee Burton 17, Leroy Williams 8, Trent Boyd 3, Cameron Conover 0, Martynas Valaitis 3