Box Score TIGERVILLE, S.C.--USC Aiken overcame a 13-point deficit in the final eight minutes of the game to beat North Greenville College, 88-80, tonight (Dec. 4) in Tigerville, S.C. Josh Geyer scored 16 of his 18 points, and Josh Poston scored nine of his game-high 29 points, in the closing eight minutes of play to lead the Pacers' (4-3) comeback. Trevor Boggs led the Crusaders (2-6) with 21 points.

Making his first start, Poston (pictured at right) turned in the best game of his short career. The freshman connected on nine-of-11 from the field, five-of-six from three-point land and six-of-seven from the charity stripe. He also added eight assists, eight rebounds and three steals in 31 minutes of action.

North Greenville led by four at halftime but opened the second half by hitting 11 of its first 16 attempts (69 percent) from the field and built a 13-point lead, 70-57, with 8:17 left in the game. During that same time, the Crusaders nailed six-of-seven from beyond the three-point arch.

As hot as North Greenville was for the first 12 minutes of the second half, the Crusaders were equally as cold for the final eight minutes, hitting on just two-of-14 from the field.

Geyer and Poston took over the game's final minutes. Geyer's three-pointer with 7:29 on the clock closed the gap to nine points, 70-61. Poston followed with a three of his own 24 seconds later to cut the deficit to eight points. A lay-up by Poston followed by another three-pointer from Geyer put the Pacers within five points with 5:28 left to play.

An old fashion three-point play by Franchot Brown, followed by another Geyer trey, capped off a 9-0 run and gave the lead briefly to USCA, 75-74, with 4:20 to go in the game.

Geyer finished the night five-of-eight from the field, including four-of-five from three-point land, and four-of-four from the free throw line for his 18 points. The sophomore added five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

A three-pointer by P.J. Schumacher sent the Crusaders back in front 77-75 but Geyer knocked down his fourth three-pointer in four minutes to push the Pacers back in front, 78-77. 

The two teams combined for 22 three-point baskets. USCA finished 11-of-25 (44 percent) from deep while North Greenville went 11-for-31 (35.5 percent).

After two free throws from Boggs gave NGC its final lead of the game, 79-78, with 3:20 showing on the clock, Boggs turned the ball over on the Crusaders' next possession and Richard Blocker converted on the other end to put the Pacers in front for good. USC Aiken made all eight of its free throw attempts in the final two and a half minutes to secure the victory. Poston and Geyer each went four-for-four from the line during that time.

USCA entered the game shooting an uncharacteristic 59.3 percent from the free throw line. The Pacers went to the stripe 28 times against North Greenville and connected on 25 for 89.3 percent. 

USC Aiken will take 10 days off for final examinations. The Pacers will return to action on Dec. 15, when they travel to Jefferson City, Tenn., to face Carson-Newman College. Game time is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.

SCORING:
USC Aiken (88): Josh Poston 29, Josh Geyer 18, Arnold Coates 14, Richard Blocker 10, Marcus Robinson 8, Franchot Brown 7, Anthony Sampson 2, Theo Oates 0, Kenny Burr 0, Richard Glover 0

North Greenville (80): Trevor Boggs 21, Daniel Morbitzer 14, P.J. Schumacher 12, Paul Epting 11, Jordan Richmond 9, Cameron Chandler 8, Brett Williams 3, Chris Sabb 2, Jarrod Darnell 0, Andrew Nipper 0