MORROW, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken men's basketball team shot 56.3 percent from the floor and cruised to an 87-63 win at Clayton State Monday evening.

The Pacers are now 15-7 overall and 9-3 in league play.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by David Strother's game-high 20 points. He hit seven-of-13 from the floor and had five assists. Tehree Horn accounted for 16 points. He also registered three steals.

Preston Parks notched 15 points and four rebounds while Jalen McCoy reached double figures with 10 points.

LaTreavin Black accounted for nine points, four boards and two blocks. Demitrios Dixon tallied five points. Tyler Johnson, Mason McMurray and Samba Ndiaye had four points apiece.  

Leading 20-18, Strother pulled up for a jumper with 12:14 to play in the first half. Johnson netted a basket less than a minute later for a six-point advantage. A Parks three-ball and Horn's lay-up extended the lead to 29-18. Dixon took a pass from Horn for a double-digit lead. Strother buried a three-ball for a 42-27 lead with 2:10 to play in the half en route to a 44-34 score at the break.

Clayton State pulled within seven at 54-47 but Horn quickly converted an old-fashioned three-point play to make it 57-47. McMurray found Horn for a jumper with 13:08 to go in the game. After Black hit a free throw, Parks nailed a step-back jumper, giving the visitors a 63-47 lead.

Leading 67-51, Strother hit a lay-up and Ndiaye threw down a dunk for a 20-point margin, 71-51.  USC Aiken continued the offensive effectiveness, extending the advantage to 27 after Strother hit back-to-back free throws with 5:45 to play.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 36-of-64 from the floor (56.3 percent), including five-of-13 from downtown (38.5 percent). The squad buried 10-of-13 from the charity stripe (76.9 percent). The Pacers held a 36-27 edge on the glass, including 14-12 on the offensive boards.

Vanderslice's team dished out 13 assists and registered 16 points on the break. The visitors turned 12 turnovers into 21 points. USC Aiken dominated the paint 48-19 and held a 19-8 margin in second-chance points.

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