Box Score FLORENCE, S.C.--USC Aiken hit on just five of its 24 shot attempts through the first 17 minutes of the second half and fell to Francis Marion University, 59-53, tonight in Florence, S.C. Raymond Dorsey led the Patriots (8-7, 3-2 PBC) with a game-high 16 points. Josh Poston led the Pacers (5-9, 1-3 PBC) with 11 points. USCA finished the game shooting just 27.6 percent (16-of-56).

The two teams exchanged baskets to start the second half, but after Josh Geyer's lay-up made 30-28, with 19:02 to play, Francis Marion used a 14-4 run to take a 12-point lead. Dorsey scored nine of his 16 points during the run and the Pacers connected on just one-of-eight attempts from the field. Dorsey's three-pointer capped the run and put the Patriots in front 44-32 with 14:41 on the clock.

Kevin Ashford was 0-for-5 from the free throw line until he knocked down two from the charity stripe to give FMU its largest lead, 13 points, 49-36, with 10:05 left in the game.

Trailing by 11 with 3:45 remaining, Curt Triplin connected on two free throws that began a 10-3 USCA run. Franchot Brown's lay-up with 27 seconds to go drew the Pacers to within four points, 57-53. The Patriots hit on just one-of-four free throw attempts during the USC Aiken run.

Poston missed on two three-pointers in the final 25 seconds and FMU held on for the win. The Pacers made just eight-of-34 attempts from the field in the second half for 23.5 percent. Francis Marion knocked down 11-of-20 for 55 percent. The Patriots finished the game shooting 43.8 percent (21-of-48).

Andrew Snipe grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for FMU and added six points. Sean Kennedy was the only other player to score in double figures, finishing with 10.

Two points by USC Aiken over a span of six minutes and 36 seconds in the first half allowed Francis Marion to build a nine point advantage, 21-12. Two free throws by Poston ended the drought and cut the deficit to seven with 2:48 to go in the first half.

After Brown was fouled while grabbing an offensive rebound, FMU Head Coach John Schweitz drew a technical foul. Poston connected on the two technical foul free throws and Brown sank his two from the charity stripe to cut the Patriot lead from six to two with 1:45 before intermission.

A three-pointer from Poston gave the lead to USCA, 26-25, with 21 seconds remaining in the first half but Louis McCullough knocked down a trey of his own with four ticks on the clock to send Francis Marion to the locker room with a 28-26 advantage.

The Pacers will return to "The Courthouse" in Aiken for the first time in three games when they play host to Georgia College & State University beginning at 7:30 p.m. 

SCORING:
USC Aiken (53): Josh Poston 11, Franchot Brown 8, Josh Geyer 6, Curt Triplin 6, Arnold Coates 4, Richard Glover 4, Anthony Sampson 3, Marcus Robinson 3, Kenny Burr 3, Trent Boyd 3, Theo Oates 2

Francis Marion (59): Raymond Dorsey 16, Sean Kennedy 10, Louis McCullough 7, Andrew Snipe 6, Kevin Ashford 6, Michael Jenkins 5, Artis Lee 3, Vony Rivers 2, Reinaldo Charles 2, Rodrick Burton 2