AUGUSTA, Ga. – The No. 16 University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team posted a 98-83 win over Francis Marion Saturday evening in the PBC Semifinals.

The Pacers are now 26-4 on the year while the Patriots fall to 21-8.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Faison Brock's 25-point, eight-rebound performance. Ty'lik Evans accounted for 24 points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds. Xzavier Barmore totaled 17 points, eight boards, six assists and four thefts.

Shaquan Jules chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.

USC Aiken trailed 23-15 with 11:06 to play in the first half. However, the squad embarked on a 10-3 spurt to close within one when Shaquan Jules threw down a thunderous two-handed dunk. The Patriots increased the margin to seven at 33-26, but the Pacers battled back. Evans nailed a deep three-ball prior to Darius Bell connecting on two free throws, making it a 33-31 game at the 5:58 mark.

Down by five, 38-33, with 3:35 to go, USC Aiken got things going, ending the half on a 10-2 spurt. Kyle Tackeberry started things off by running nearly the length of the court and picking up a steal and lay-up. Brock went backdoor and found a pass from Tackeberry in his hands. Brock promptly converted the shot and hit the charity toss, knotting the score at 38-38.

Down 40-38, Barmore canned a 30-foot three-point shot to give USC Aiken a one-point lead. Barmore found Brock with 33 seconds to go for a 43-40 halftime edge.

Leading 48-45, the Pacers went on a 7-0 spurt. Brock led the way with a dunk. He made three free throws before Evans finished the run with a lay-up.

Moments later, Barmore found Evans for a lay-up on the break, giving the designated home team a 65-48 advantage.

USC Aiken did not let the Patriots within 11 points the rest of the way – while stretching the margin to as many as 18 points.  

For the game, USC Aiken hit 37-of-74 from the floor (50 percent), including nine-of-24 from downtown (37.5 percent). The squad also canned 15-of-20 free throws (75 percent). USC Aiken held a 44-39 edge on the glass.

The Pacers return to action tomorrow in the PBC Championship against top-seeded Augusta at 4 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.