FLORENCE, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team overcame a 22-point second-half deficit to pick up an 81-80 victory at Francis Marion Wednesday.
The Pacers are now 14-9 on the year and 10-3 in league play.
Head coach
Mark Vanderslice's team was led by
Faison Brock's game-high 32 points to go along with 14 rebounds for a double-double. He connected on 11-of-20 from the floor and nine-of-11 from the charity stripe.
Gus Rowland accounted for 19 points and seven assists while
Xzavier Barmore chipped in 12 points.
Kyle Tackeberry struck for eight markers, including six from downtown.
Robert Hill corralled 11 boards in the win.
After trailing 43-23 at the break, Vanderslice's team whittled the deficit to 10 points at 64-54 with 8:18 to play. However, the Patriots embarked on an 8-0 run. Trailing 72-54 with under seven minutes to play, Tackeberry nailed a three-ball. After forcing a turnover, Brock hit a pair of free throws to slice the margin to 13, 72-59.
Rowland canned two free throws with 5:20 to go, pulling the visitors within nine, 72-63. After Hill snagged a rebound, Rowland found Brock for a lay-up. FMU extended the lead to 10 with 4:36 to go, but Barmore and
Dhieu Deing registered back-to-back buckets. Brock found
Shaquan Jules for a thunderous dunk with 2:52 to play, making it 75-71.
Trailing 77-73 with 1:36 to go, Brock recorded back-to-back baskets, knotting the contest at 77-77. Brock recorded a steal and was fouled with 41 seconds to play. He calmly sank both free throws for a two-point edge.
Rowland was fouled with 10 seconds to play and made two free throws for an 81-77 lead. FMU hit a three-point shot with three ticks remaining for the final tally.
For the game, USC Aiken hit 26-of-74 (35.1 percent) from the floor. The squad hit 23-of-28 from the charity stripe (82.1 percent). Vanderslice's squad forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 18 points. The Pacers' bench held a 20-2 advantage over the home team.
The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Georgia Southwestern. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.