AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team outlasted North Georgia Saturday afternoon by a score of 94-85.

The Pacers are now 13-6 overall, including 7-2 in league play. The Nighthawks fall to 12-7 overall and 5-5 in PBC action.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by David Strother's career-high 29 points. He hit nine-of-13 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the charity stripe in 31 minutes of action. Tehree Horn notched his second double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. Preston Parks accounted for 14 points while LaTreavin Black garnered 13 points and eight boards. Tyler Johnson accounted for 10 points.

Mason McMurray and Samba Ndiaye had five points apiece while Demitrios Dixon posted three markers.

After a slow start, USC Aiken got things going near the midway point. Down 22-14, Samba Ndiaye converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 9:33 to go. McMurray found Horn for a lay-up, pulling the team within three at 22-19.

Back-to-back buckets from Horn and a lay-up from Black gave the home squad a 25-24 advantage. Down 26-25, Dixon buried a three-ball and Johnson converted a lay-up, extending the advantage to four, 30-26. Leading 35-31, Srother canned a jumper and McMurray hit two free throws to complete the scoring in the half for a 39-31 score.

USC Aiken pushed the margin to 12 points on a jumper by Black with 13:31 to go. The Pacers extended the lead to 17 when McMurray found Johnson on a sensational pass for a three-ball. Vanderslice's team led 68-49 on a field goal by Strother but the Nighthawks battled back.

UNG went on a 9-0 spurt late in the game to pull within four at 85-81 with 43 seconds remaining. However, Strother was solid at the line. He hit six free throws while Ndiaye buried two and Johnson made one for the final tally.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 32-of-59 from the floor (54.2 percent), including seven-of-17 from distance (41.2 percent). The squad went to the line 32 times and hit 23 chances (71.9 percent). Vanderslice's team forced 15 turnovers and converted them into 14 points.   

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they play at Columbus State at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.