AUGUSTA, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost a hard-fought contest at Augusta Wednesday 80-75.

The Pacers are now 14-11 overall and 11-10 in league play.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was paced by Robert Hill's double-double effort of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Henry Bolton III tallied 16 points while Doniel Dean and Markus Terry added 13 and 10, respectively.

USC Aiken took an early 12-6 lead at the 14:27 mark when Dean found Terry for a three-point shot. However, the Jaguars made it a 14-13 contest moments later.

A lay-up by Hill pushed the advantage back to three at 18-15, but the home squad managed to regain the lead after the Pacers were saddled with foul trouble. Despite having to go deep into the bench, Vanderslice's team kept it close throughout the first half. However, Augusta managed to hold a 46-37 edge at the break.

USC Aiken stormed out of intermission, pulling within two on a Kyle Tackeberry three-ball, making it 48-46 with 14:28 to play. However, the Jaguars pushed the advantage to eight at the 10:57 mark.

Darius Bell converted an old-fashioned three-point play at the 8:30 mark, allowing Vanderslice's squad to make it a 61-58 contest. Trailing 66-61, Hill made a pair of free throws. Tackeberry's three-point shot with 4:50 to go brought the visitors within one at 66-65.

Augusta managed to stretch the advantage to six, 71-65, but USC Aiken would continue to battle. Dean made two free throws with 33 seconds to play, pulling the visitors within two at 72-70.

Forced to foul, the Jaguars made two free throws, but Bolton III would nail a three-ball from the corner with 22 seconds to play, making the score 74-73.

USC Aiken had to foul once again with 16 seconds to go and the Jags made two foul shots. Down 76-73, Dean was fouled and hit both attempts. The Pacers fouled and Augusta made two for a 78-75 advantage. USC Aiken turned the ball over and the home squad hit a bucket with under a second remaining for the final score.  

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they host Young Harris in the season finale at 1:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.