COLUMBUS, Ga. – The No.7 University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team traveled to Columbus State, which is hosting the PBC Tournament, and knocked off the No. 4 seeded Cougars by a 69-64 count to earn a spot in the PBC semifinals.

The Pacers are now 27-3 on the season.

First-team all-conference selection DeVontae Wright poured in a game-high 23 points, including an 11-of-12 effort from the foul line, to push USC Aiken to the victory. His hanging baseline jumper and ensuing foul shot on the three-point play gave head coach Vince Alexander's a three-point lead – and it was one the squad would not relinquish. For the game, Wright also distributed a game-high seven assists.

Second-team all-league honoree Paul Larsen notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds despite constantly being double teamed while Jesse Seilern contributed 10.

Although second-team all-conference performer Ronald Zimmerman had just nine markers, his three-point shot from 24 feet out at the end of the first half gave the Pacers a 27-26 lead at the break – and helped jump start the offensive explosion in the second half.

USC Aiken canned 45.1 percent of its shots from the floor (22-of-51), including a five-of-12 effort (41.7 percent) from downtown. The squad also managed to get to the foul line 26 times, converting 18 (69.2 percent).

The Pacers out-rebounded the Cougars 41-35and held a 12-6 advantage in bench points for the contest.

USC Aiken held a 13-11 advantage at the 11:49 mark of the first half when Wright hit a jumper, but the Cougars went on a 9-0 run. Down 24-16, Zimmerman buried a fade-away three-pointer with 3:56 on the clock. Santoine Butler made a lay-up off a lob by Wright, pulling the team within three at 24-21.

After a basket by Columbus State, Seilern nailed a three from the corner, making it 26-24 with 1:33 to play before halftime. Zimmerman took a pass from Wright with two seconds to go in the period and, with a hand in his face, he calmly drilled the deep three for a 27-26 advantage.

Columbus State built a 51-45 lead with 8:00 to go, but Alvin Brown threw down a thunderous dunk off a pass from Rick Alderman. ON the next possession, Alderman made a left-handed shot from inside, pulling the team within two at 51-49.

Thanks to solid foul shooting, the Pacers went ahead 60-54, but the Cougars fought back in front of their home crowd.

After turnovers and fouls allowed Columbus State to climb within two at 62-60 with 1:04 to play, Alexander's team embarked on a 7-0 run that spanned just 35 seconds en route to the victory. During the spurt, Wright converted his brilliant play along the baseline for a 65-60 advantage. After a rebound by Larsen, Wright hit a pair of free throws and Larsen would can two charity shots with 15 ticks to play, securing the victory.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow at 8 p.m., when they take on Georgia Southwestern in the final PBC semifinal game of the day.