AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team overcame a late deficit in regulation and another in overtime, besting King by an 88-87 margin Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 5-4 on the season while King falls to 6-2.

Dominic Early led everyone with a game-high 27 points to go along with a game-best 10 boards for a double-double. Rashad Lewis came off the bench to play a game-high 40 minutes. During that time, Lewis accounted for 20 points. Albert Miller III was the only other USC Aiken student-athlete to reach double figures as he tallied 17 points in 34 minutes of work off the bench.

Caleb Stewart contributed seven points and seven rebounds while Tyreece Brice and Gavin Stephenson notched six and four points, respectively. David Belfield (three), André Anthony (two) and Arbry Butler (two) all etched their names in the scoring column.

For the game, head coach Vince Alexander's team hit 28-of-66 shots from the floor (42.4 percent), including a 13-of-33 effort from downtown (39.4 percent). The squad held a 45-41 advantage in rebounds, including a 16-12 margin on the offensive glass. The difference in the game was in terms of bench points as the Pacers held a 46-31 advantage. USC Aiken also maintained a 21-16 lead in second-chance points.

Alexander's team came out strong, netting the first five points of the game off a three-pointer by Brice and a lay-up from Early.

The teams battled back-and-forth with neither gaining too much of an advantage in the early going. Trailing 19-16, Brice threw down a thunderous dunk and Lewis scored four straight points for a 22-19 lead.

King fought back, taking a 24-23 lead. However, Albert Miller III connected on a deep three-point shot and Early hit a pair of free throws for a four-point lead. Ahead by two, Miller III drained back-to-back three-pointers for a 34-28 score.

In the second half, Alexander's team was ahead 53-49, but a 9-0 spurt by the visitors gave them a 58-53 lead.  King extended its lead to seven, 72-65, with 6:41 to play. However, Stewart hit a lay-up and Lewis drained both charity tosses, pulling the team within three at 72-69. Early converted an old-fashioned three-point play, knotting the contest at the 5:11 mark.

Early was not done as his dunk gave the Pacers a two-point edge with 4:57 to go. USC Aiken extended its lead to five, 79-74, after Lewis hit a three and Early canned a couple of free throws with 3:34 to play. However, King knotted the score with 1:39 to go and neither team could score in the final 99 seconds of regulation, forcing overtime.

Although USC Aiken netted the first two points of the extra session, King took an 85-81 lead with 2:51 to go. Early and Miller III each made jumpers, knotting the contest at 85 apiece at the 1:41 mark.

After a jumper by the visitors, Lewis was fouled and made the first charity toss. He missed the second, but Early collected the rebound and was fouled. He stepped to the line and calmly sank both shots with 17 ticks remaining for an 88-87 lead.

A strong defensive stand by USC Aiken forced a turnover, which Butler scooped up with six seconds remaining. Miller III was fouled and went to the line for two shots. He missed both, but Early fought for the offensive board. Tipping it three times, Early managed to knock the ball to the wing. As several players converged on the ball, time ran out, securing the one-point win for Alexander's team.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host Georgia College in the Peach Belt Conference opener. Game-time is slated for 7:30 p.m.