AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team put forth an outstanding rally, but came up just short against UNC Pembroke by a 93-87 score Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 9-5 overall and 6-4 in league play.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Henry Bolton III, who scored a game-high 26 points. Doniel Dean added 18 points to go along with five assists. Faison Brock totaled 16 points while Markus Terry contributed 11 points.

Robert Hill contributed eight points to go along with seven rebounds while Paris Ballinger tallied six markers. Austin Grimes notched six boards.

Trailing 56-37 at the break, Hill's tip-in with 11:14 to play sliced the deficit to nine at 68-59. Moments later, Dean hit a free throw to make it an eight-point margin. Down 70-62, Dean found Brock for a three-ball.

Despite UNCP increasing the lead to nine, Vanderslice's team continued to battle and once again made it a five-point game with 4:05 to play. Brock's three-point shot with 38 seconds to go cut the deficit to four at 86-82. The Pacers sliced the deficit even more – making it a 90-87 contest on a three-ball from Bolton III with 16 ticks on the clock.

The Braves managed to add the final three points for the 93-87 final.  

For the game, USC Aiken hit 32-of-67 (47.8 percent), including 13-of-23 from the three-point stripe (56.5 percent). The team canned 10-of-15 from the charity stripe.

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they travel to Lander for a 3:30 p.m., start. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.