Throughout the 2019-20 season, the USC Aiken Athletic Communications office will provide weekly notes, giving all of Pacer Nation an in-depth look at the team.

Jules Shines

Shaquan Jules put on show in the victory over Young Harris. He connected on all seven field goal attempts, including one thunderous dunk, and sank nine-of-11 shots from the charity stripe for a 23-point performance.

Movin' On Up

Last week, USC Aiken went 2-0. The Pacers were in third place before the week started, but between the two victories and losses by the top two squads, head coach Mark Vanderslice's team currently moved into a first-place tie with UNC Pembroke.

Big Week 

This week, USC Aiken faces the ever-tough UNC Pembroke Braves on the road. On Saturday the squad hosts Clayton State for Homecoming. Both programs are tough outs – and have proven to be in the past. With aspirations of NCAA Tournament play, this week is huge for USC Aiken as the squad enters the home stretch of the regular season. 

Hot Shooting

In the win over Young Harris, USC Aiken connected on 28-of-54 from the floor (51.9 percent). In fact, five of the student-athletes on the squad buried at least half of their attempts from the floor. Shaquan Jules led the way by going 7-7 while Kyle Tackeberry also made his only field goal attempt.

Clinching A First-Round Home Game

With a topsy-turvy PBC, USC Aiken clinched a first-round home game for the upcoming PBC Tournament with the victory over Young Harris. The Pacers are four games up on fifth-place Columbus State with four games to go, but USC Aiken owns the tiebreaker, thus giving the squad an extra home game slated for March 4, 2020. 

Inside The Numbers

This week, USC Aiken plays at UNC Pembroke on Wednesday, Feb. 19 before hosting Clayton State on Saturday, Feb. 22. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 123-120 (50.6 percent) in Wednesday contests and 205-166 (55.3 percent) in Saturday games. During the same time, the squad is 4-4 on Feb. 19 and 6-4 on Feb. 22. 

Against The Opponents

This week, USC Aiken plays at UNC Pembroke on Wednesday, Feb. 19 before hosting Clayton State on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Pacers own a 35-22 edge in the all-time series over the Braves. USC Aiken and Clayton State are all squared up at 20-20 in the all-time series.