Box Score AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken's men's basketball team lost to Augusta State University, 78-63, tonight at "The Courthouse" in Aiken, S.C. Tommy Greer scored a game-high 20 points for the Jaguars (9-13, 7-4 PBC).
Bryant Latimer led the Pacers (8-13, 2-8 PBC) with 17 points.
ASU shot nearly 60 percent in the second half to break open a four-point game at the half. The Jaguars opened the second stanza with a 15-4 run to take a 15-point advantage, 52-37, with 14:27 left in the game.
Five unanswered points allowed USCA to cut the deficit to 10, 52-42, on a bucket by
Jamall Gray with 12:20 on the clock. The Pacers had a chance to get the lead under double-digits but Gray missed a jumper and Augusta State's Greer nailed a three pointer at the other end. Greer made eight-of-10 shots from the field, three-of-four from beyond the three-point arch and one-of-two free-throw attempts. He also grabbed five boards and dished out three assists.
Clarence Brown gave ASU its largest lead, 20 points, 70-50, with 4:50 remaining.
A 10-1 run by Augusta State broke open a 5-5 game. Jason Mills was fouled on a three-point attempt and connected on all three free-throws to cap the run and give the Jaguars a 15-6 lead with 14:11 before halftime.
A three-pointer by Jermale Wilkerson gave ASU a 15-point cushion with 5:43 left in the half but the Jaguars scored just two points over the next five minutes and the Pacers climbed back into it.
Minda Statkus came up with a steal near mid-court, took it in for a dunk and drew the foul. His three-point play ended a 12-2 USC Aiken run and drew the Pacers within five, 36-31, with 33 seconds before the break. Statkus knocked down a jumper with 11 seconds on the clock to send USCA to the locker room down by just four points, 37-33.
Todd Williams finished the night with 15 points and a game-high six rebounds for the Pacers. USC Aiken out-rebounded the Jaguars 30-24.
ASU shot 52.7 percent for the game (29-of-55) and made nine-of-21 three-point attempts. USCA connected on 42.2 percent (19-of-45) of its shots from the field and made five-of-nine from beyond the three-point arch.
Ben Butler scored 14 points off the bench for Augusta State. Wilkerson added 14 of his own along with six assists.
The Pacers will return to action on Saturday when they travel to Greenwood, S.C., to face Lander University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
SCORING:
Augusta State (78): Dean Brebner 3, Clarence Brown 8, Tommy Greer 20, Jermale Wilkerson 14, James Newsome 2, Jason Mills 7, Ben Butler 14, Patrick Curran 8, Milos Nikolic 0, Andre Ferbee
USC Aiken (63):
Todd Williams 15,
Minda Statkus 8,
Curt Triplin 7,
Bryant Latimer 17,
Lee Burton 4,
Leroy Williams 7,
Jamall Gray 5,
Trent Boyd 0,
Martynas Valaitis 0,
Mira Jonuska 0
