JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost an 87-65 decision at Carson-Newman Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest.

The Pacers are now 3-4 on the season.

Dominic Early led the way with a team-best 18 points. He also added seven rebounds in the loss. Tyreece Brice and André Anthony each hit for 11 points while Caleb Stewart chipped in 10 for USC Aiken.

Keith Belfield and Rashad Lewis notched nine and six points, respectively.

Although head coach Vince Alexander's team was out-rebounded 44-40, the squad held an outstanding 19-9 margin on the offensive glass. The Pacers also held a 4-3 edge in blocks and a 7-6 margin in steals.

The biggest difference in the game came in terms of bench points where the Eagles outscored USC Aiken 31-11.

USC Aiken started off strong as Early took a pass from Anthony for a dunk on the first possession of the game. The teams traded points before Early threw down another thunderous dunk. His pair of free throws on the next possession made it an 8-4 game for Alexander's squad.

Anthon's three-point basket pushed the score to 11-5 with 15:55 to go after Lewis found him for the open shot.

With the score tied at 14, Brice scored the next five points for the visitors, but the Eagles answered with an 11-0 spurt for a 25-19 edge. Early's dunk and Stewart's three-pointer made it a one-point game, but Carson-Newman closed the half on a 13-2 run.

Anthony's jumper with 15:48 to play in the game trimmed the deficit to just nine at 44-35, but it was a close as USC Aiken would get the rest of the way.

The Pacers return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when they host Benedict in a 7 p.m., contest.