ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost a 72-70 contest at Flagler Monday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 2-9 on the season and 0-4 against league foes. The Saints improve to 5-8 overall and 1-3 against conference competition.

Arbry Butler and Jevon Patton shared team-high accolades with 21 points apiece. Butler notched a double-double with 15 rebounds. He also contributed five assists and three blocks. Patton dished out four assists and registered a steal.

Keith Belfield totaled 18 points and four boards in the outing. Hendrix Emu chipped in five points and garnered nine rebounds.

Trailing 8-7 in the opening minutes, Belfield nailed a three-point shot off a pass from Butler for a 10-8 advantage. It also marked his eighth point of the contest.

Patton made a jumper before finding Butler for a dunk and a 14-8 lead. A three-pointer by Belfield and a jumper by Stephenson pushed the margin to 11 at 19-8 with 12:32 to go in the half.

The Saints countered with a run of their own, making it a four-point contest at 23-19. However, Butler hit a free throw to end the scoring drought. Patton followed it up with a three-pointer prior to Butler converting a lay-up for a 29-19 lead. USC Aiken closed the half with a 31-24 advantage.

Although the Pacers led by seven after a lay-up by Patton at the 16:20 mark, the home team started to close the deficit, tying it at 43 apiece at the 11:17 mark. Vanderslice's team converted an old-fashioned three-point play. A free throw by Emu and a lay-up by Patton extended the margin to six at 49-43.

The Pacers maintained a 57-53 advantage before the Saints went on a 13-0 run. USC Aiken, however, continued battling. Belfield hit a three-pointer to make it a 66-60 game.

With 16 seconds to go, Patton hit a runner, slicing the deficit to four at 72-68. Butler's dunk with a second to play pulled the team within two, but USC Aiken was unable to force a turnover as the ball was deflected on the ensuing possession as the clock ran out.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 28-of-65 shots from the floor (43.1 percent), including five-of-14 from downtown (35.7 percent). Vanderslice's team out-rebounded the Saints 43-41, holding a rebound advantage on the offensive and defensive glass. USC Aiken controlled the paint, outscoring the home team 38-30.  

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host UNC Pembroke at 5:30 p.m. Live stats, video and audio will be available at PacerSports.com.