Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--Lee Burton scored a career-best 30 points as USC Aiken defeated Clayton College & State University, 82-76, in overtime tonight at "The Courthouse" in Aiken, S.C. The Pacers (8-10, 2-5 PBC), who had not shot better than 30 percent from the field in their previous three games, made 46.3 percent of their shots against the Lakers (15-4, 5-3 PBC). Clayton State entered the game ranked number six in the South Atlantic Region. 

The two teams exchanged points through the first two minutes of the overtime period, but Clayton State did not score again after two free throws by Craig Butts put the Lakers in front, 76-74, with 3:13 left. Todd Williams' jumper on the Pacers' next possession tied the game and Curt Triplin's three-pointer from the right wing at the 1:56 mark gave USCA a three-point advantage, 79-76, and the lead for good.

Trent Boyd made one free throw and Burton connected on two attempts from the charity stripe inside the final 33 seconds to secure the overtime win. Burton made seven-of-16 shots from the field, including five-of-10 from beyond the three-point arch, and 11-of-12 free throw attempts for his game-high 30 points. The senior from Clearwater, Fla., becomes the first Pacer to score 30 or more points in a game since Clint Keown dropped 42 points on North Florida on Feb. 27, 2002.

USC Aiken trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half but was able to draw within three at the break. A basket by Butts 24 second into the second period extended the Laker lead to five. Butts finished the night with a double-double, 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pacers answered with a 14-2 run to go up by seven. Triplin's free throw began the charge at the 19:13 mark. Minda Statkus and Williams each added a bucket before Burton and Bryant Latimer took over from three-point land. Burton's trey with 17:53 to play gave USCA a one-point lead, 40-39. Latimer drilled a shot from deep with 16:30 on the clock for a four-point advantage. Another triple by Burton put USC Aiken ahead by seven, 46-39, with 15:53 left in the game.
Latimer made all three of his attempts from beyond the three-point line and finished with 15 points on five-of-seven shooting from the field. Statkus and Triplin each scored 13 points.

Clayton State battled back and went ahead by one on a Stephen Cox jumper with 10:49 to go. On the Pacers' next possession, Williams answered with a lay-up and USC Aiken would hold on to the lead for the next five minutes and 39 seconds.

Leon Parker swished two free throws with 4:50 on the clock to send the Lakers back ahead by one. Parker scored 14 points of the bench.

The game remained close in the closing minutes of the second half as neither team held a lead larger than four points. After two makes from the free throw line by Burton put USCA in front, 72-68, B.J. Puckett knocked down a shot with 1:11 to play and Darien Chavis picked up two of his team-high 18 points at the charity stripe to tie the game with 42 seconds remaining. 

USC Aiken had the ball with 26 seconds to play but Clayton State forced a turnover and then ran the clock down for the last shot. Kevin Young missed on a short jumper one second before the horn sounded the end of regulation.

The Pacer defense limited the Lakers to 39.4 percent (26-of-66) shooting from the field and just 14.3 percent (three-of-21) shooting from three-point land. USCA made 25-of-54 (46.3 percent) of its shots from the field and nine-of-20 (45 percent) from deep. Both teams grabbed 39 rebounds and Clayton State won the turnover battle, 14-22.

USC Aiken ended a season-high three game losing streak and ended a four-game skid against the Lakers. The last time the two teams met, on Mar. 5, 2003 in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, Clayton State squeaked out a 79-71 overtime win.

The Pacers will be back on the road again Wednesday when the Pacers travel to Florence, S.C., to face 13th ranked Francis Marion University at the Florence Civic Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. 

SCORING:
Clayton State (76): Jason Byrd 5, Craig Butts 14, BJ Puckett 12, Darien Chavis 18, Kevin Young 5, Donte Dawson 2, Lamar Rodgers 2, Carlton Holmes 0, Leon Parker 14, Stephen Cox 4, Aristide Sawadogo 0

USC Aiken (82): Todd Williams 8, Minda Statkus 13, Curt Triplin 13, Bryant Latimer 15, Lee Burton 30, Leroy Williams 0, Jamall Gray 0, Trent Boyd 3, Martynas Valaitis 0