AUGUSTA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost an 82-66 decision at Augusta Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 6-17 overall and 4-12 against league foes. The Jaguars improve to 13-10 overall and 9-7 against conference competition.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Tavares Sledge's double-double performance with game-high honors in points and rebounds. He poured in 22 points and snagged 10 boards.

Arbry Butler totaled 17 points while Jevon Patton and Keith Belfield netted 11 and 10, respectively. Andrew Glover hit a pair of three-pointers for six points.

Hendrix Emu and Butler each pulled down five boards while Butler blocked a game-best three shots.

The Pacers managed to get the Jaguars in foul trouble early, but the team was unable to capitalize on each possession.

Vanderslice's team found itself trailing 24-13 near the midway point of the first half, but the squad slowly climbed back into the game.

Down 33-20, Butler converted an old-fashioned three-point play. With 4:15 to play, he made a free throw, making it 33-24. Down by 11, Sledge converted a lay-up and after a technical foul on the home team, Belfield made a pair of charity tosses. The team missed a three-pointer, but was awarded the offensive board. Glover made the Jaguars pay, netting a three-ball to make it a four-point contest, 35-31.

Vanderslice's team trailed by five at the break, but was quickly down double digits at the start of the second period. Down 48-37, Butler netted three straight points. After he grabbed an offensive board on the ensuing possession, Patton made a runner in the lane. Sledge got into the action with a lay-up and Butler's jumper made it a two-point game, 48-46.

The Jaguars managed to regain a larger lead, but the Pacers were only down two, 54-52, with 11:29 to play. However, Augusta went on a run, extending the lead to double digits and the Pacers were unable to get closer than eight the rest of the way.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 21-of-55 shots from the floor (38.2 percent), but only five-of-25 from downtown (20 percent). The squad got to the line 28 times, connecting on 19 attempts (67.9 percent).

Vanderslice's team held a 20-15 advantage in second-chance points and a 28-24 margin in the paint.

The Pacers return to action on Wednesday when they travel to North Georgia. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.