AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA men's basketball team garnered a 76-62 victory over North Georgia Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 19-8 overall, including 12-5 in PBC play.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Caleb Byrd's 20-point, six-rebound effort. Davion Cunningham accounted for 14 points while Rhyjon Blackwell totaled 12 points and five assists. Jalen McCoy chipped in 11 markers while Rafael Rubel accounted for 10 points and five assists. Simeon German had 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks.

USCA took a 10-7 lead on a jumper by Blackwell at the 14:56 mark. Up by two, Cam Perkins found Cunningham for a three-ball on the break, pushing the margin to 16-11. A three-point shot by Byrd off a pass from Rubel extended the edge to six.

With 8:55 to play in the half, Blackwell hit Byrd for a shot from behind the three-point arc, giving the home squad a 23-13 advantage. UNG pulled within three at 27-24, but Rubel hit a step-back three-ball. Cunningham found Mason Grant for an old-fashioned three-point play at the 3:57 mark for a nine-point cushion. Up by four, German found Rubel for a three-point bucket at the 1:07 mark for a 38-31 lead at the break.

The home team did not allow the opposition back into the game in the second period. Vanderslice's squad pushed the margin to 19 just 4:36 into the second half on a jumper by Rubel. With 7:06 to go, Blackwell nailed a bucket, extending the advantage to 20. Leading by 17, Grant found Blackwell for another shot from distance. A lay-up by Grant kept the margin at 20, 74-54 at the 4:53 mark.

USCA was never challenged down the stretch as UNG closed the gap to 14 with the final two points of the game.

For the game, USCA hit 30-of-61 (49.2 percent) from the floor, including a sizzling 13-of-25 (52.0 percent) from downtown. The team snagged 33 rebounds, including 15 on the offensive glass. Vanderslice's team held a 28-18 edge in the paint and scored 24 points off turnovers.

The Pacers close out the regular season Saturday, March 1, when they host Lander at 3:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.