AMERICUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team defeated Georgia Southwestern 103-72 Saturday evening in the PBC opener for both schools.

The Pacers are now 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in league play. The Hurricanes fall to 2-1 overall and 0-1 against conference foes.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Doniel Dean's career-high 35 points. He was 13-of-r-15 from the field, marking the 10^th-most field goals made in a single game in school history. Dean canned both three-point field goals and hit seven-of-12 from the charity stripe. For good measure, he dished out a team-best four assists and registered five steals.

Henry Bolton III was outstanding himself, registering 20 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the floor, including four-of-seven from downtown.

Kyle Tackeberry came off the bench and poured in a career-high 12 points. He was three-of-five from the floor, including two-of-three from downtown. Tackeberry nailed four-of-five from the charity stripe. Additionally, he snagged a career-best five rebounds.

Leading 26-21, Dean canned a jumper at the 10:42 mark of the first half. He followed it up with a pair of free throws for a 30-21 advantage. Bolton III hit an inside shot at the 7:55 mark, stretching the lead to 38-27. Vanderslice's team increased the margin to 14 at the break, 56-42.

Nenad Milenkovic's three-ball at the 14:26 mark of the second period pushed the score t o71-49. Darius Bell followed him up moments later with another shot from behind the arc, making it 74-52.

GSW pulled within 13, but USC Aiken was never threatened. Dean's old-fashioned three-point play made it 86-70 with 6:06 to play. Austin Grimes made a lay-up before Dean hit another shot from distance. Faison Brock's two free throws at the 2:05 mark pushed the squad over the 100-point plateau.

The Pacers return to action Saturday, Dec. 9, when they host North Greenville at 3:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.