AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team registered a 97-84 victory over Paine, giving head coach Mark Vanderslice his first win at the institution.

The Pacers are now 1-2 on the season.

Keith Belfield led everyone with a game-high 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the floor. He canned five-of-11 from behind the three-point stripe and nailed all six of his charity tosses.

Jevon Patton accounted for 25 points on nine-of-12 shooting and dished out a game-high seven assists. Jordan Foster tallied14 markers on four-of-seven shooting while Arbry Butler posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He also swatted a game-best three shots.

The game was close in the early going with the Lions taking a 9-8 lead. However, the Pacers reeled off nine straight points. During the spurt, Belfield had a pair of free throws. Patton and Butler each converted lay-ups while Gavin Stephenson hit a jumper from the wing.

Paine pulled within one with 4:08 to go in the half at 30-29, but Belfield answered with a deep three-point bucket. After forcing the Lions to miss, Stephenson grabbed the rebound and Patton quickly converted a jumper for a six-point edge. The Pacers held a 39-33 advantage heading into the second half.

USC Aiken increased its lead to 11 when Emu took a pass from Patton and threw down a dunk for a 54-43 edge. Moments later, Belfield nailed another three-pointer for a 57-45 advantage.

Vanderslice's team took a 16-point lead after Foster nailed a pair of three-point baskets at 67-51.

The Lions never got closer than 10 the rest of the way.

USC Aiken calmly connected on six free throws down the stretch and converted three field goals, including a pair of thunderous dunks by Butler en route to the 13-point victory.

For the game, the Pacers canned 34-of-52 from the floor (65.4 percent). The team connected on 10-of-22 from behind the three-point stripe and netted 19-of-23 from the charity stripe.

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they host Carson-Newman at 11 a.m. The game was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m., but USC Aiken is now hosting the PBC Volleyball Championship at 2 p.m.