AIKEN, S.C. – The No. 22 University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team overcame a 13-point deficit en route to a 77-69 victory Saturday afternoon in a league game.
The Pacers are now 7-0 on the year and move to 2-0 against PBC competition. The Hurricanes fall to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in league play.
Xzavier Barmore poured in a game-high 21 points to go along with four rebounds, three steals and an assist.
Doniel Dean came off the bench to hit for 19 points while registering four steals.
Faison Brock added 17 points and seven rebounds while
Ty'lik Evans totaled 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win.
Head coach
Mark Vanderslice's team jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first 1:48. Barmore made a pair of free throws before
Kyle Tackeberry found
Robert Hill for a lay-up. Barmore buried a three-ball off a pass from Evans for the lead.
The Hurricanes rebounded, taking a seven-point advantage at the 6:57 mark. USC Aiken found itself down 33-22 at the break.
The Pacers were down 48-37 with 13:26 to go, but Dean's jumper started the comeback for the home team. Dean stole the ball and found Evans for a lay-up, bringing USC Aiken within seven. Hill found Brock for a lay-up and Dean pulled up for a three-ball with 11:10 to go. Brock tipped in a missed shot from Dean and was fouled. His made free throw sent the home crowd into a frenzy after giving the squad a 49-48 lead.
It was a back-and-forth affair the rest of the way, but USC Aiken found itself trailing 69-67 with 1:55 to go. Dean's floater knotted the contest at 69-69 with 57 ticks remaining on the clock.
After a turnover by the visitors, Evans attempted a three-point shot from the corner, but he was fouled. He went to the line and calmly sank all three charity tosses for a 72-69 edge.
On the ensuing play, Evans stole the ball and converted an old-fashioned three-point play for a 75-69 advantage. After a missed three-point shot by the Hurricanes, Evans snagged the rebound. With one second to go, Brock made two more free throws for the eight-point victory.
For the game, USC Aiken hit 28-of-72 from the floor (38.9 percent). The Pacers tallied 35 points off 26 turnovers while allowing the Hurricanes to score just 11 points off nine miscues by the home team.
Vanderslice's team had 16 second-chance points and the bench outscored the visitors 23-12. USC Aiken dominated the paint, tallying 48 points to 18 by Georgia Southwestern. The squad also held a 23-6 edge in fast break points.
The Pacers return to action Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m., at Columbus State. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
