AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team posted a 73-68 victory over Claflin Wednesday evening in a non-conference contest. 

The Pacers are now 3-0 on the year while the Panthers fall to 0-2.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Faison Brock's 17 points. Doniel Dean tallied 15 points, six steals, six rebounds and four assists while Xzavier Barmore accounted for 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four thefts.

Ty'lik Evans added eight points while Myles Washington chipped in six.

USC Aiken opened up a 14-7 advantage on a three-ball by Barmore at the 14:22 mark, but the visitors clawed their way back into the contest. The Pacers maintained their lead until a three-pointer at the 2:27 mark made it 34-33 in favor of the visitors.

After battling back-and-forth for a minute, Washington buried a runner at the 1:31 mark for a 38-37 advantage. Neither team could score in the waning seconds, leaving it a one-point game at the break.

Early in the second half, USC Aiken continued its defensive pressure and pushed the margin to double figures on a thunderous dunk by Dean.

Claflin pulled within six at the 9:58 mark, but Dean buried a three-point shot and Evans converted a lay-up on the break for an 11-point advantage. Robert Hill's slam off a pass from Barmore made it 61-49, but the Panthers cut it to single figures with less than five minutes to go.

Leading 70-66, Faison Brock buried a straight-away three-pointer. After the Panthers made it a five-point game, USC Aiken turned it over. However, Dean was able to get the steal on a spin move, giving the Pacers the ball back with 14 ticks on the clock.

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