YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost a 79-66 decision at Young Harris Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 10-11 on the season and fall to 5-7 against conference competition.

André Anthony led head coach Vince Alexander's team with 17 points. Tyreece Brice accounted for 13 markers while Arbry Butler totaled 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds in the outing. Butler also swatted away a game-high five blocks. Caleb Stewart and Hendrix Emu each accounted for seven points in the loss.

USC Aiken canned 26 field goals compared to 25 by the Mountain Lions, but the home squad managed to net three more shots from downtown. Additionally, Young Harris hit 21 free throws on 27 attempts while the Pacers got to the line just 13 times, hitting nine.

Alexander's squad dished out 17 assists compared to 12 by the Mountain Lions. USC Aiken also stuffed six shots while only allowing one of its shots to be blocked. The Pacers also held a 41-26 edge in the paint.

USC Aiken fell behind 3-0, but Anthony converted a deep three-point shot, tying the contest off a pass from Rashad Lewis at the 18:33 mark of the opening half. It was the last time the Pacers would be tied as the squad was unable to grab the lead.

Alexander's team fell behind 10-4, but Lewis made three straight free throws, pulling the team within three. Brice netted a lay-up with 15:08 on the clock, but Young Harris answered with another basket. Butler's basket once again made it a two-point contest but the Mountain Lions registered an old-fashioned three-point play for a 16-11 score.

A 7-2 spurt by the home squad made it a 10-point contest with 10:09 to go in the half. After falling behind by 14, Butler, Stewart and Brice made three straight shots, trimming the deficit to just four with 1:33 to play in the half. However, the Mountain Lions pushed their advantage to seven at the break.

Although USC Aiken trailed by double digits early in the second period, five straight points by Anthony pulled the visitors within five at 46-41. Young Harris made a free throw, but Stewart answered with a lay-up. A three-pointer by the Mountain Lions extended the lead to seven.

USC Aiken trailed 55-46, but Anthony hit a three-pointer, Emu converted a lay-up and Brice hit a short runner, making it a 55-53 game with just under 10 minutes to play. The home squad answered with a 12-0 spurt and Alexander's team was never able to get closer than eight the rest of the way.

The Pacers return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4, when they host UNC Pembroke at 7:30 p.m. Beth Spangler will sing the National Anthem prior to the men's contest in the Convocation Center.