AIKEN, S.C. – Behind a game-high and career-high 22 points from Ronald Zimmerman the University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team picked up an 81-69 victory over Voorhees in its season opener at the Convocation Center on Wednesday evening.

Zimmerman, who scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half, was part of a Pacer bench onslaught that saw the USC Aiken bench outscore Voorhees, 52-12.

The Pacer bench assault helped USC Aiken overcome a sluggish start. USC Aiken owned just a three-point lead at 28-25 at intermission.

USC Aiken shot 57.6 percent (19-for-33) from the field in the second half to eventually pull away for the 12-point win. The Pacers outscored Voorhees, 53-44, in the second half.

Zimmerman (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) did most of his damage from beyond the arc, connecting on 50 percent (6-of-12) of his 3-point attempts. He was 8-for-14 from the field in total. He also had three steals in the game.

Four Pacers finished in double figures in total in the game with newcomer Joel Gierbolini (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Long Island) capturing his first double-double as a Pacer with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Gierbolini owned the offensive glass in the second half with five rebounds in the stanza. He claimed six offensive boards overall in the contest.

Sterling Council (Camden, S.C./Camden) came off the bench to finish with 11 points and six assists. He shot 50 percent from the floor in the game.

The final Pacer in double digits was Chase Holmes (Chesnee, S.C./Presbyterian), who ended his night with 10 points and four caroms.

Pacer point guard Re'mon Nelson (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) only managed five points in the USC Aiken win, but he was able to dish out five assists to go along with five steals.

Sam Dotson led three Voorhees players in double figures with 18 points. Voorhees' Garland McArthur just missed on a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.

Henry Johnson was the final Tiger in double figures with 15 points.

USC Aiken as a team finished Wednesday's season-opening win shooting 46.8 percent (29-of-62) from the field. Voorhees ended its loss shooting 46.3 percent (25-for-54).

The Pacers knocked down 43.5 percent (10-for-23) of their 3-point attempts in their win.

USC Aiken will next hit the road for the first time in the 2011-12 regular season for a contest with first-time opponent Elizabeth City State in Elizabeth City, N.C. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m.