FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost an 86-82 overtime contest at Francis Marion Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 10-8 on the season and 7-7 in league play

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Doniel Dean's22 points. Markus Terry added 16 points while Paris Ballinger and Faison Brock notched 11 and 10, respectively.

Henry Bolton III tallied eight points. Robert Hill accounted for four points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

After trailing 18-6 just 5:47 into the game, USC Aiken mounted a quick comeback, taking a 22-21 lead on a three-ball from Kyle Tackeberry off a pass from Dean. The squads battled back-and-forth for the next few minutes. Trailing 28-27, Dean sliced through the defense for a lay-up. Ballinger nailed a shot from downtown after a nifty pass from Austin Grimes for a four-point edge.

The Pacers added to their lead as Brock buried three-pointer with 1:13 to go. Terry was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly sank two of three, giving Vanderslice's team a 37-30 lead heading into the second half.

The Patriots managed to take a 61-54 lead in the second stanza, but USC Aiken fought back, embarking on a 10-0 spurt, capped by a Grimes lay-up with 7:54 to play. Trailing 70-68, Dean cut through three defenders and went up and was fouled. He made both shots, knotting the score with 3:17 left in regulation.

Hill converted a nifty up-and-under for a 72-70 lead. Brock's free throws made it 74-71 with 56 seconds left, but FMU tied the contest on a three-pointer from the win as time expired.

The home squad jumped out to an 82-75 lead with 2:44 to play in overtime. Dean sliced into the margin with a pair of free throws at the 2:32 mark. Trailing 84-77, Bolton III nailed a shot from distance. A steal by Hill and a pair of charity tosses by Terry made it 84-82 with 1:13 to go.

USC Aiken got the ball back with nine seconds to play, but a turnover led to a basket by the Patriots for the final score.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 27-of-62 from the floor (43.5 percent), including nine-of-24 from the three-point stripe (37.5 percent). The team hit 19-of-27 from the foul line (70.4 percent). Vanderslice's team registered six blocks compared to four by the Patriots. USC Aiken's bench outscored the home team 27-20.   

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at North Georgia at 3:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.