BELMONT, N.C. – A strong second half propelled the University of South Carolina Aiken to a 78-65 victory at Belmont Abbey Friday afternoon in a regional contest.

The Pacers are now 3-2 on the season while the Crusaders fall to 4-2.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by David Strother's game-high 21 points. He also snagged four boards and four assists. Tehree Horn posted 12 markers and a pair of steals.

LaTreavin Black, Demitrios Dixon and Preston Parks scored eight points apiece. Black registered a game-high three steals. Mason McMurray accounted for seven points and four rebounds.

USC Aiken fell behind 10-0 just 3:10 into the game. However, the squad whittled away at the margin. Down 24-19, Horn scored the next five points, knotting the game at the 7:17 mark. An old-fashioned three-point play by McMurray gave USC Aiken a 30-28 advantage with 5:01 to go in the half.

Tied at 32-32, McMurray hit two more charity tosses and Horn canned a jumper for a four-point edge. The home squad pulled within one less than a minute to play in the first half, making it 36-35 in favor of the visitors heading into the second period.

Leading 41-39 early in the second stanza, Parks took a pass from Black and drained a three-point bucket. Strother canned two free throws, Parks found Horn for a lay-up and Strother assisted on a thunderous dunk by Black for a 50-39 edge with 15:49 remaining.  

Vanderslice's team held a 66-58 lead with 7:15 to go before Black and Strother scored four straight points for a 70-58 working margin. Up 70-59, Strother reeled off the next four points, giving the visitors a 74-59 lead with just 2:47 to play.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 29-of-62 from the floor (46.8 percent), including eight-of-23 from downtown (34.8 percent). The squad canned 12-of-14 from the free throw line (85.7 percent).

The Pacers had 10 offensive boards, which converted to 14 second-chance points. The squad also forced 19 turnovers, which converted into 24 points. USC Aiken also controlled the paint, outscoring the home team 36-24.

Vanderslice's team also held the Crusaders to just three-of-12 from behind the three-point line (25.0 percent).  

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