AUGUSTA, Ga. - The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost a 102-100 decision at Paine Tuesday evening in a non-conference contest.

The Pacers are now 3-3 on the young season.

Head coach Vince Alexander's team was led by Dominic Early's 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor. André Anthony garnered 23 points on eight-of-10 shooting from the floor. Keith Belfield netted 18 markers while Rashad Lewis dropped in 14 points.

USC Aiken hit 33-of-61 shots from the floor, including a five-of-11 effort from downtown. The squad was nearly automatic at the charity stripe, drilling 29-of-32 (90.6 percent).  

Alexander's team found itself trailing by as many as 14 just after the start of the second half, but the team would not give up, eventually earning a six-point edge with 7:17 to go.

Trailing 73-65, Anthony hit a pair of free throws with 12:24 to go. Early converted on two straight possessions prior to Anthony slicing through the defense for a lay-up, knotting the score at 73 with 10:41 to go.

Leading 85-83, Caleb Stewart and Gavin Stephenson hit back-to-back inside shots for a six-point amrgin. The teams traded the next four points. 

With the score at 91-89, Stephenson drained a three-pointer at the 5:59 mark for a 94-89 advantage. However, USC Aiken was outscored 13-6 the rest of the way. USC Aiken had a chance to win, but the team missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. 

The Pacers return to action Saturday afternoon at Carson-Newman. Game-time is slated for 4 p.m.