AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team defeated Young Harris 90-81 Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference clash.

The Pacers snapped a five-game losing streak by toppling the PBC West Division leaders. The win pushes USC Aiken's record to 4-15 overall and 2-10 against conference competition. The Mountain Lions are now 11-10 overall and 9-3 against league foes.

Head coach Mark Vadnerslice's team was led by Taves Sledge's game-high 28 points and 14 rebounds. Arbry Butler added 26 points and 14 rebounds to go along with a game-best five blocks. Keith Belfield netted 19 points while Jevon Patton was one assist shy of tying the school record for assists in a game. He concluded the victory with 12 of the team's 15 assists.

USC Aiken jumped out to a 13-8 lead after back-to-back three-point baskets by Sledge off passes from Patton.  Although the Mountain Lions would pull within three points at 22-19, Belfield converted a deep three-ball for a 25-19 edge. The squad maintained the advantage of six on a jumper by Hendrix Emu at the 7:07 mark, but the visitors would claw their way back to within two at 36-34 with 3:11 to play in the half.

After a rebound by Emu, the Pacers would quickly matriculate the ball down the court and Patton found Butler for a thunderous dunk with 1:41 on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Patton found Butler for an easy lay-up, giving the Pacers a 40-34 margin at the break.

In the second half, YHC pulled within one at 44-43, but Butler answered with a power move and lay-up at the 15:51 mark.

The Mountain Lions pulled within one with 13:04 to go, but Vanderslice's team answered with an old-fashioned three-point play by Sledge, giving the team a 52-48 cushion. YHC tied it at 52, but Butler served up the next two points via a lay-up. Patton found Gavin Stephenson for a corner three-ball and a five-point edge with 10:33 to go.

The visitors tried to cut into the lead at 62-59, but Sledge hit a runner for a 64-59 edge. That was the start of a 9-2 run for the home team. During the spurt, Emu nailed a three-pointer and hit a pair of free throws before Butler took a lob from Patton and slammed it home for a 71-61 margin.

The Mountain Lions could not get any closer than seven the rest of the way. Forced to trap, USC Aiken easily beat the press and managed to convert the opportunities into easy baskets. When fouled the Pacers knocked down every free throw attempt in the final five minutes, helping the team register the huge win.

For the game, Vanderslice's team canned 29-of-56 attempts (51.8 percent) from the floor, including nailing eight-of-22 from downtown (36.4 percent). The team stepped to the line 32 times, converting 24 charity tosses (75 percent).

USC Aiken out-rebounded the Mountain Lions 47-33 and held a 15-6 margin in assists.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to UNC Pembroke for a 7:30 p.m. game. Live stats and video links are available at PacerSports.com.