By Staff Reports

 

AIKEN, SC – When the Georgia Southwestern State University Men’s Basketball Team went into the USC-Aiken Convocation Center Saturday, February 10, they were hoping to earn their first win ever in that building. However, they were handed an 84-69 loss. The Hurricanes are now 0-11 all-time in that building.

The loss snaps the Hurricanes’ two-game winning streak. They fall to 12-9 overall and 8-9 in the Peach Belt Conference. USC Aiken won its second-straight game. They improve to 12-9 overall and 9-8 in the PBC.

The first five minutes of the first half was played evenly between both teams. With 15:41 remaining in the half, Devin Watson nailed a three-pointer to give the Hurricanes a 14-12 lead. Andre Statam followed it up with a basket of his own to keep the Hurricanes out in front.

However, the lead didn’t last long. USC Aiken accounted for the next two scores and would never trail again. GSW kept it close as John Mason sank a pair of free throws with 8:34 to go to get the deficit to 28-26. However, the Pacers went on a 12-4 run to open up a double-digit lead. By the time halftime arrived, GSW trailed 45-36.

The Hurricanes couldn’t score a point for the first four minutes of the second half. They missed their first five shots and turned the ball over three times. While GSW struggled, the Pacers scored five unanswered points to take a 50-36 lead. GSW trailed by as many as 17 points, but pulled to within seven at 72-65 with four minutes left. The Hurricanes had three opportunities to cut into the deficit further, but came up empty on three consecutive possessions. That allowed the Pacers to hold on to the lead and the win.

Coming into this game, USC Aiken led the PBC in scoring average at 82.5 points per game. The Pacers also led the conference in three-point shooting defense (30.6 percent). GSW shot 29.6 percent from beyond the arc. GSW was also beaten on the boards. They were outrebounded 47-36.

R.J. Sessions and Devin Watson each scored 15 points to lead GSW. Hasaan Buggs scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots. The Pacers’ Robert Hill led them in scoring with 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.