AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA men's basketball team notched a 95-86 victory over Francis Marion Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 7-4 on the year.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was guided by Josiah Harding's team-high 21 points and eight rebounds. Caleb Byrd drained six three-point buckets en route to a 20-point effort. McCaskill Rivers added 12 points while Cam Perkins and Montraivis White had 10 points apiece. Jonah Lawrence tallied seven points, eight boards and six assists while Brock Cherry had six points. Deandre Smart added four markers while Chedlet Delva and William Vasser Jr., had three and two, respectively.

Delva led the defense with three blocks.

USCA jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Up 6-3, Harding netted the next five points before Byrd drilled a three-ball for a 14-3 advantage. Holding a 20-17 edge, Vasser Jr., connected on a jumper before Cherry drilled a shot from distance at the 8:33 mark for an eight-point margin. With the score at 26-23, Perkins found Cherry for another basket from downtown.

Vanderslice's team led 29-27 before Perkins hit two free throws and Smart made a lay-up. With the score tied at 36-36, Rivers and Smart made inside shots before the Patriots hit a late basket, making it 40-39 at intermission.

Up 48-44, Byrd nailed a three-point basket. Rivers added a jumper for a nine-point margin. A five-point spurt moments later gave the home team a 65-54 advantage. Leading 69-60, the Pacers reeled off six more points and never let the visitors within striking distance.

For the game, the Pacers hit 29-of-52 from the floor, including 13-of-24 from the three-point stripe. The squad canned 24-of-34 from the charity stripe. Vanderslice's team held a 37-36 edge on the glass. The Pacers maintained a 28-20 margin in the lane. USCA dished out 20 assists.

The Pacers return to action Dec. 31 when they play at Emmanuel at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.