USCa Downs Flagler 96-92 in Overtime

1/16/19---  Xzavier Barmore with a team-high of 22 points and Ty'lik Evan’s 21 points and 8 steals, lead the No.7 USC Aiken Men’s Basketball team against Flagler this past Wednesday in a 96-92 overtime showdown. Center Robert Hill added 19 points and 11 rebounds, while forward Faison Brock scored 16 points in the matchup.

Pacers head coach Mark Vanderslice’s team battle started at tip off when the team raced to a 10-2 lead, which became 40-26 on a lay-up by Hill, but a late run by Flagler made it 40-35 at halftime. The tides changed in the second half when the Saints took a 74-66 lead with 6:56 left in regulation. The game became tied at 84-84 and a missed shot by USCA sent the game to overtime.

Overtime gave the Pacers enough time to gain control of the contest, with a massive dunk from Hill and a couple of free throws pushed the score to 91-86. With 2:06 remaining and the Saints pulling within one, the score 91-90, Evans hit a three pointer to help extend the lead. The Pacers would then be able to hold of the Saints in the extended period.

Flagler was led by Gedi Juozapaitis with a season high of 31 points and 19 boards. Juozapaitis, a 6’5” freshman guard/forward, is averaging 13.5 points this season. Senior guard Vaughn McCall added 19 points, but also contributed 7 turnovers for the Saints.

The Pacers improve to 14-1 on the year and 8-1 in conference play. The Saints fall to 5-8 and 2-5 against conference competition. The Pacers are back in action Saturday against Clayton State, while the Saints return home to host Young Harris College the same day.