Box Score 2010 ConocoPhillips and Quality Energy Services USC Aiken Pre-Holiday Classic
AIKEN, S.C. – In a battle of top 25 teams, the fourth-ranked University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team got the better of 23rd-ranked Virginia Union, 69-62, on Friday afternoon in the final game of the 2010 ConocoPhillips and Quality Energy Services USC Aiken Pre-Holiday Classic.
The victory improved the Pacers to 7-2 overall on the 2010-11 season entering their holiday break. Virginia Union lost both of its games in the 2010 ConocoPhillips and Quality Energy Services USC Aiken Pre-Holiday to fall to 2-2 on its young season.
The Pacers are now a perfect 2-0 against ranked opposition in 2010-11, having earlier bested then fifth-ranked Florida Southern, 77-75, in Lakeland, Fla. on Nov. 20.
In a game that saw the score tied eight times and the lead change six times, USC Aiken was able to pull away in the final minute for the seven-point victory.
The Pacers entered intermission up by one at 32-31. After Virginia Union scored the first bucket of the second half to take a one-point lead, USC Aiken would not relinquish the lead once again until falling behind 55-53 with six minutes remaining in the contest.
The game would be neck-and-neck from there with the score knotted at 62 all with 1:07 left on the game clock.
USC Aiken would close the game on a 7-0 run to garner the victory.
The Pacers were led by all-tournament team member Byron Faison (Sumter, S.C./Crestwood), who finished the contest with a game-high 24 points. Faison was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
Faison was one of two Pacers in double figures in the game with fellow all-tournament team member Michael Technow (Boca Raton, Fla./American) finishing with 12 points and five rebounds. He also had three blocks.
Wayne Ford was the top scorer for Virginia Union, ending his efforts with 22 points.
USC Aiken as a team shot 38.8 percent (19-for-49), while Virginia Union concluded the game shooting 40 percent (24-for-60).
The Pacers now have 12 days off before next welcoming Mars Hill to the Convocation Center for a 7:30 p.m. game on Thursday, Dec. 30.
For a full recap of the entire 2010 ConocoPhillips and Quality Energy Services USC Aiken Pre-Holiday Classic, please visit the official tournament website above.
