AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team picked up a 66-55 Peach Belt Conference victory over Clayton State on Wednesday evening at the Convocation Center.

USC Aiken (9-4, 5-1 PBC) with the win moved a half-game ahead of Augusta State (8-3, 4-1 PBC) in the Peach Belt Conference East Division. The Pacers are now tied with Peach Belt West Division leader and next opponent Young Harris (10-3, 5-1 PBC) for the overall lead in the Peach Belt Conference at 5-1.

Clayton State (7-7, 3-4 PBC) opened things up in the game by racing out to a 12-3 lead. The Pacers would then go on a 16-4 run to own a 19-16 lead with 9:29 remaining. 

The Pacers would not stop from there as they entered halftime with a commanding 38-20 lead. 

The second half would be much closer, but USC Aiken would eventually emerge with the 11-point win.

USC Aiken closed out its victory shooting 40.4 percent (23-for-57) as a team. Clayton State ended its loss shooting 40.9 percent (18-for-44). 

Four Pacers concluded their efforts in double figures. Re'mon Nelson (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester HS) and Jesse Seilern (Innsbruck, Austria/Kapfenberg HS) both tied for the game-high with 13 points. 

Nelson also had six assists in the game. Seilern was 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the Pacer win.

Paul Larsen (Mooresville, N.C./Mercer) claimed his fourth double-double of the year in the contest with a game-high and career-high tying 14 rebounds to go along with 11 points. He also had three assists and two steals.

Kinley Branch was the final Pacer in double figures with 10 points. 

Juron Dobbs led two Lakers in double figures in the game with 12 points.

USC Aiken will next hit the road to face off against Peach Belt Conference newcomer Young Harris on Saturday, Jan. 19. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.