AIKEN, S.C. – Montraivis White blocked a last-second three-point attempt, helping the USCA men's basketball team earn a 75-72 win over UNC Pembroke Friday evening.

The Pacers are now 1-0 on the year.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was paced by Caleb Byrd's team-high 13 points. William Vasser Jr., and Josiah Harding netted 12 points apiece. Jonah Lawrence added 11 markers in the win.

Brock Cherry was perfect from the floor en route to his nine-point contest. Cam Perkins added eight points while Deandre Smart posted four points. 

Jackson Roberts led the way with six rebounds while McCaskill Rivers tallied five boards. Byrd, Perkins and Vasser Jr., dished out two assists apiece while Harding, Byrd, Perkins and Cherry shared game-high honors with two steals apiece.

Trailing 10-8 with just under 15 minutes to go in the first half, Byrd netted back-to-back shots. Tied at 12-12, Vasser Jr., found Perkins for a three-ball. Lawrence hit a free throw before Byrd soared into action with another jumper for an 18-12 edge. Holding a 24-16 lead, Harding converted a free throw. He took a pass from Rivers for a lay-up at the 7:14 mark, pushing the margin to 11, 27-16. Byrd's jumper extended the advantage to 29-16 at the 6:41 mark.

A lay-up from Lawrence off a pass from Byrd and a three-point shot from Vasser Jr., made it 39-22 at the 1:50 mark en route to a 45-27 lead at the break.

The Braves cut the deficit to six at the 13:12 mark, but Perkins hit a step-back three-ball for a nine-point cushion. Cherry made two free throws for a 58-47 lead at the 11:47 mark. 

Leading 63-58, Lawrence hit four straight free throws before hitting an inside shot for an 11-point margin with 5:40 to play.

With a 73-70 lead, Harding canned a jumper in the lane with 50 ticks on the clock. UNCP hit a lay-up to make it a one-score game. The Braves missed a three-ball but gained offensive possession. From 28-feet out, UNCP tried to launch a last-second attempt, but White swatted away the game-tying attempt with three ticks on the clock, securing the win.

For the game, USCA hit 27-of-67 from the floor, including seven-of-21 from downtown. The squad hit 14-of-17 from the foul line. The squad dished out 11 assists and forced 11 turnovers.

The Pacers return to action Sunday when they travel to Catawba for a 3:30 p.m., tip-off. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.