AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team lost the home opener Saturday to Florida Southern by a score of 96-80.

The Pacers are now 0-5 on the year while the Mocs improve to 3-0.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Shaquan Jules' 20-point, 10-rebound performance. He was one of five in double figures for the home squad.

Xzavier Barmore totaled 14 points and five rebounds. Faison Brock tallied 13 points while Gus Roland accounted for 11 points and five assists. Dhieu Deing chipped in 10 points.

Trailing 32-21 with 4:44 to play in the first half, Damontez Oliver canned a three-ball, pulling the team within eight. On the ensuing possession, Robert Hill threw down a thunderous dunk. After Barmore snagged a defensive rebound, Gus Rowland found Brock for a lay-up, making it 32-28. A three-point shot from Deing off an Oliver pass made it a 32-31 game.

The Mocs managed to stretch the lead to five before Brock converted a lay-up just before the break to make it 40-37 at intermission.

A Deing three-point shot pulled the home team within one at 42-41 at the 18:29 mark, but the Mocs slowly increased the lead to double digits.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 30-of-66 from the floor (45.5 percent). The Pacers netted 52 points in the paint. USC Aiken held a 26-13 edge on the break and the squad maintained a 28-25 margin in bench points.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host Belmont Abbey at 7:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.