Men's Basketball | February 25, 2025

Each week, USCA will post notes.

Bouncing Back

After suffering an overtime loss at USC Beaufort last Wednesday, head coach Mark Vanderslice's team bounced back with a hard-fought 74-68 win at Clayton State on Saturday. 

Down The Stretch

After holding a 50-30 lead with 17:01 to play in the second half, USCA saw the Lakers go on a 32-11 run for a 62-61 lead with 3:42 to play. However, Jalen McCoy answered with a pair of free throws. Mason Grant found Simeon German for a lay-up before Grant hit a jumper. McCoy netted an old-fashioned three-point play before Rhyjon Blackwell hit two free throws with eight ticks on the clock, securing the win.

Blackwell's Back In Double Figures

After back-to-back games with less than 10 points, Rhyjon Blackwell averaged 17 points over his last two games. He scored 13 points at USC Beaufort before erupting for 21 points on six-of-13 shooting from the floor in the win at Clayton State. Eighteen of his points came from behind the three-point stripe.  

Tying His Career High 

At USC Beaufort, Simeon German tied his career high with 18 points. German hit eight-of-nine from the floor and two-of-three from the foul line for 18 points in 29 minutes of work. As a junior, he netted 18 points in the home game against Augusta. 

Senior Day

On Saturday, Rhyjon Blackwell, Simeon German and Jalen McCoy will be honored for Senior Day prior to the start of the men's basketball game. Blackwell and German have been two-year standouts for the Pacers while McCoy has been with the team five years.

Inside The Numbers

This week, USCA hosts North Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Lander on Saturday, March 1. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 155-139 (52.7 percent) in Wednesday games and 246-186 (56.9 percent) in Saturday affairs. During the same time, the program is 4-5 on Feb. 26 and 3-5 on March 1.

Against The Opponents

This week, USCA hosts North Georgia on Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Lander on Saturday, March 1. The Pacers hold a 23-9 edge in the all-time series against the Nighthawks. The Bearcats maintain a 56-55 lead in the all-time series.