MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost a 66-53 decision to Montevallo in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Saturday evening.

The Pacers wrap up the season with a 13-16 ledger.

Arbry Butler led everyone with a game-high 19 points. He also snagged a team-best eight rebounds while blocking a game-high three shots in 28 minutes of work. André Anthony and Caleb Stewart added seven points apiece while Dominic Early and Hendrix Emu each added six markers. Tyreece Brice tallied five points while Albert Miller III chipped in three.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 20-of-55 shots from the floor (36.4 percent), but connected on just four-of-21 from downtown (19 percent). The squad got to the line 15 times, hitting nine attempts (60 percent).

Head coach Vince Alexander's team dished out 14 assists on the 20 field goals and had four blocks compared to three by the home squad. USC Aiken also forced 17 turnovers while committing just 14.

The Pacers trailed 10-2 before Stewart's three-point shot off a pass from Jordan Foster cut the deficit to five, 10-5, with 15:38 to play. However, the Falcons went on an 8-2 run for an 18-7 lead.

USC Aiken tried to battle back as Butler hit a pair of inside shots and Tyreece Brice made a free throw, but Montevallo pushed the margin back to double digits.

Down by 17, Stewart found Emu for a lay-up for the final two points of the first half, making it a 36-21 game.

Alexander's team started to make a run in the second half. The team cut the margin to 11, 39-28. During the run, Butler made a pair of inside shots and Stewart connected on a deep three-point basket. However, USC Aiken was unable to trim the margin to single digits.

Trailing by 20, Alexander's young team continued to fight. Early made a lay-up and Butler connected on a free throw. Brice and Butler made back-to-back jumpers and Early converted a turnover into an easy basket, pulling the team within 11 at 56-45 with 5:42 to play. USC Aiken was unable to connect on another field goal for 3:29 and the Falcons were able to secure the victory.

The Pacers have a strong group of student-athletes returning as there are no seniors on the squad.