Armstrong Men’s Team Falls to USC Aiken

The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit, but could not come all the way back in falling to the No. 2-ranked USC Aiken Pacers, 73-68, on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena.

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In a battle of undefeated teams, it was USC Aiken (4-0, 1-0 PBC) coming out on top, thanks to a superior shooting day from the floor. The Pacers hit 68.8 percent from the floor in the first half, making 22-of-32 shots, in building an 18-point halftime lead, 49-31. The Pirates (4-1, 1-1 PBC), meanwhile, hit just 28.9 percent in the first half.

In the second half, however, AASU clawed back thanks to the three-point shooting of Keron McKenzie. McKenzie hit four three-pointers, his last winnowing USC Aiken's large lead to just four, 71-64, with four minutes remaining. A tip-in by Uriah Hethington and a jumper by T.T. Hall cut the lead to three, 71-68, with 1:13 left, but the Pirates went 0-for-3 in the final minute and watched the Pacers gather offensive rebounds on two missed free throws to seal the victory.

Josh Dollard led all scorers on the night for USC Aiken with 26 points, hitting 10-of-14 shots from the floor, including a three-pointer, and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. PBC Co-Player of the Year Chris Commons had 19 points - 17 in the first half - while Javonte Clanton added 10 points for the Pacers.

Calvin Wilson led the way for AASU, hitting 8-of-13 shots from the floor and 2-of-2 three-pointers en route to 18 points, to go with 10 rebounds for a double-double. McKenzie finished the night with 14 points and Gabriel Robinson added 10 points and nine assists.

The Pirates break for the final exams, but return to action on Friday, December 19, with an 8:00 p.m. matchup with Concordia Selma in the 2008 Chatham Orthopedics Holiday Classic at Alumni Arena.