Box Score AIKEN, S.C. – Four University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball players finished in double figures in a narrow 88-84 home Peach Belt Conference loss to Armstrong Atlantic State on Saturday evening at the Convocation Center.
The 13th-ranked Pacers second straight loss leaves USC Aiken at 9-4 (3-3) on the 2010-11 season. Armstrong Atlantic improved to 8-3 (2-1 PBC) with its win over the Pacers.
In a tight contest both teams shot over 50 percent with USC Aiken concluding Saturday's win shooting exactly 50 percent (30-for-60). Armstrong Atlantic connected upon 52 percent (26-of-50) of its shot attempts from the field in the win over the nationally-ranked Pacers.
Armstrong Atlantic State controlled play for most of the first half. The Pirates entered intermission with a 42-34 advantage.
Just under five minutes into the second half the score was still eight points in favor of the Pirates at 52-44. The Pacers swung the momentum from there in their favor, going on a 10-1 run over the next three minutes to own a 54-53 lead with 11:53 remaining in the game.
The lead would change hands at a consistent clip over the next few minutes with Armstrong Atlantic clinging to a slight two-point lead at 68-66 with 5:11 left in the contest. An 8-0 run by the Pirates over the next two minutes would turn everything Armstrong Atlantic's way with the Pirates holding a 10-point lead with 3:43 remaining.
The Pacers would battle the Pirates down the stretch, but Armstrong Atlantic would be able to hold off the USC Aiken advances down the stretch in their eventual four-point win.
Sterling Council (Camden, S.C./Camden) ended the loss to Armstrong Atlantic State with a career-high 21 points. Council's never give up was shown in the final minute of the narrow loss to the Pirates as he secured 10 of his career-best 21 points in the final 48 seconds. He was 8-for-12 overall from the field in the game.
Alvin Brown (Fort Washington, Md./James Madison) finished the Armstrong Atlantic State loss with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks. All 17 of his points came in the second stanza.
Byron Faison (Sumter, S.C./Crestwood) and Chase Holmes (Chesnee, S.C./Presbyterian) were the final Pacers in double digits, scoring 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Four Armstrong Atlantic State players ended its win in double figures with three of the four scoring 19. Brett Goodwell, Jesse Wheeler and Chris Vanlandingham all secured 19 points in the contest.
The 13th-ranked Pacers will next travel to Florence, S.C. for a 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference road game against Francis Marion. The game will be able to be followed live on USC Aiken's official athletic website at www.PacerSports.com.
