Box Score FLORENCE, S.C.--With four Francis Marion (7-5, 2-3 PBC) players in double figure points, the Patriots defeat USC Aiken (2-9, 0-5 PBC) 67-53 this evening at the Smith University Center. Francis Marion continues its streak over the Pacers, leading the series 37-24 and winning during the last eight-straight meetings. The streak is the longest in the 60-game series history. The Patriots get the win after dropping their last two games. USC Aiken has yet to get out of their slump, losing the last eight games.

USC Aiken started out strong, quickly getting a jump on a lead at 17:30 with a tre from Josh Poston to put them up 3-2. The Pacers had opportunities to gain on their lead but turned the ball over five times in the opening six minutes.

A three-point bucket by Lukas Varga at 13:31 gave the Pacers a seven points advantage (4-11). The lead would continue in USCA's favor after Poston hit back-to-back three's for the nine-point advantage.

Poston shot well from the field (5-of-8) including four three-point baskets, giving him 14 points. Poston's points were his third highest on the season and a team high for the night.

The game was kept close after the Patriot's Michael Jenkins knocked back three and cut the Pacers lead to three (21-18). Varga committed a turn over with three minutes left in the half and sent Charles Reinaldo to the line. Reinaldo drained both shots to tie the game at 25-all. The Pacers downed a couple free throws and Chris Brown hit a jumper with seconds remaining to give USCA the 31-27 lead at the half.

Reinaldo led Francis Marion with 15 points, hitting 5-of-5 from the charity stripe, two three's and shooting 4-of-6 from the field. Teammate Vony Rivers was just steps behind with 14 points and six rebounds.

The second half opened well for the Pacers with Kenny Burr hitting a three right off the bat. Two free throws by Theo Oates gave USCA the lead (36-29) at 18:26 on the clock. As it got close, the Pacers slipped in the clutch, missing three shots and turning the ball over twice in the next three minutes. Francis Marion took advantage and converted their shots to bring the game within one (40-39) with 14 minutes remaining in the game.

Momentum switched gears to favor the Patriots as George Walker knocked down a huge three to send FMU on a 9-2 run, handing the lead over 54-47 at 5:46 on the clock. The game continued to swing for Francis Marion as they converted another three by Reinaldo into a 13-1 run and sealed a victory for the Patriots. 

Turnovers hurt the Pacers, who committed 25 to Francis Marion's 16. The Patriots also beat USCA down inside with 38 points in the paint and holding the Pacers to just 10.

USC Aiken returns home on Saturday, January 14, to host UNC Pembroke in a Peach Belt Conference clash. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Francis Marion travels to Columbus State on Saturday to play at 4:00 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score
USC Aiken vs Francis Marion University
1-11-06 7:45 pm at Florence, SC (Smith University Center)
At Florence, SC (Smith University Center)

FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY 67, USC AIKEN 53

USC AIKEN (2-9 , 0-5 PBC)
Poston, Josh 5-8 0-0 14; Burr, Kenny 3-6 0-0 9; Coates, Arnold 4-12 1-1 9;
Brown, Chris 1-4 2-4 4; Oates, Theo 0-0 4-4 4; Varga, Lukas 1-1 1-3 4;
DePaula, Tiago 1-1 2-4 4; Glover, Richard 1-2 0-2 3; Frater, Scotty 0-1 1-2
1; Oguchi, Kingsley 0-3 1-3 1; Sampson, Anthony 0-0 0-0 0; Blocker, Richard
0-4 0-1 0. Totals 16-42 12-24 53.

FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY (7-5 , 2-3 PBC)
Charles, Reinaldo 4-6 5-5 15; Rivers, Vony 7-16 0-2 14; Jenkins, Michael 4-7
1-1 10; Walker, George 3-7 2-4 10; Dorsey, Raymond 3-7 1-3 7; Hamilton,
Marchello 2-3 0-1 4; Coakley, Akeene 2-5 0-0 4; Lee, Artis 1-3 0-0 3;
Carter, Michael 0-2 0-0 0; Braxton, Paul 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 26-56 9-17 67.

USC Aiken................................ 31 22 - 53
Francis Marion University..... 27 40 - 67

3-point goals-USC Aiken 9-22 (Poston, Josh 4-7; Burr, Kenny 3-6; Varga, Lukas 1-1; lover, Richard 1-2; Oguchi, Kingsley 0-1; Blocker, Richard 0-4; Brown, Chris 0-1), Francis Marion University 6-14 (Walker, George 2-2; Charles, Reinaldo 2-4; Jenkins, Michael 1-3; Lee, Artis 1-2; Rivers, Vony 0-3). Fouled out--USC Aiken-None, Francis Marion University-None. Rebounds-USC Aiken 29 (Coates, Arnold 6), Francis Marion University 34 (Dorsey, Raymond 7). Assists-USC Aiken 11 (Oguchi, Kingsley 4), Francis
Marion University 14 (Rivers, Vony 6). Total fouls-USC Aiken 22, Francis Marion University 20. A-900