AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA men's basketball team lost an 80-74 decision to Augusta Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 11-13 on the season, including 6-10 in PBC play.

Head coach Mark Vanderslice's team was led by Caleb Byrd's 28 points. Jonah Lawrence tallied 21 points while Josiah Harding added 11. Harding recorded five steals. TJ Jackson added five points while Deandre Smart totaled three. Chedlet Delva, Brock Cherry and McCaskill Rivers netted two points apiece. Delva grabbed seven boards and Cherry had five.

Down 8-5 in the early going, Harding connected on a lay-up. Lawrence hit two free throws for a 9-8 edge. AU responded with an 8-0 spurt before Harding took a pass from Lawrence and buried a shot from distance. Byrd netted a jumper, bringing the team within three, 17-14, with 6:06 to go.

The teams traded baskets down the stretch in the period. With seven seconds to play, Byrd nailed a pair of free throws, making it 28-22 at intermission.

Down 45-28, Byrd canned back-to-back three-point buckets off passes from Lawrence. Lawrence promptly scored on a lay-up with 12:34 to play. Just 30 seconds later, Lawrence found Byrd for another shot from distance. Harding hit a lay-up before Lawrence's two charity tosses pulled the Pacers within two, 45-43, at the 11:12 mark.

Cherry nailed a jumper and Harding threw down a dunk, making it 49-47, at the 8:35 mark.

Trailing 62-54, Byrd connected from deep. Jackson hit a free throw and Byrd drained two. AU went on an 11-0 spurt.

Down 80-69, USCA scored the final five points in the last 28 seconds.

For the game, Vanderslice's team hit 20-of-63 from the floor, including seven-of-33 from deep. The team canned 27-of-32 from the free throw line. The Pacers had 36 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass. USCA dished out 11 assists and scored 19 points off turnovers.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to Columbus State for a 7:30 p.m., contest. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.