Aiken, S.C. - Southern Wesleyan fell to the USC Aiken Pacers after a late shot would allow them to win 67-65 on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors shot 36.1% from the field in the non-conference loss to USC Aiken. Cameron Holmes, Ta'Jay Dunlap, and Tranard Ferrell led the team with 11 points apiece. Solomon Smith followed right behind with 10 points. Dunlap also led the team defensively with eight rebounds, followed by Smith with six. Jalen Lowery dished out five assists as Clenzo Ross added in four to contribute to the team's 18 assists. Dunlap and Hunter Davis had two steals each, while the team collected nine on the night.

Game Vitals

Final: USC Aiken 67, Southern Wesleyan 65

Records: Southern Wesleyan (5-3) USC Aiken (4-5)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Tough loss tonight. We will learn from it and try and bounce back Wednesday at King."

How It Happened

The Pacers jumped out first with a 3-pointer from Xzavier Barmore before the Warriors could answer with one of their own from Hunter Davis. Shots from Ta'Jay Dunlap and Clenzo Ross would lift the Warriors ahead to take an 11-6 lead. Tranard Ferrell stepped in to put the Warriors in a comfortable lead at 17-8. Southern Wesleyan continued to push their lead as they controlled the remainder of the first half. However, the Pacers began to chip away at the lead with shots from Barmore and Shaquan Jules. The Pacers closed in late in the half, but the Warriors escaped with a 35-33 lead heading into halftime.

Cameron Holmes kicked off the second half with a made 3-pointer. USC Aiken tied the game at 41-41 before claiming a 51-45 lead. The Warriors closed in on the Pacers several times, but were not successful at reclaiming the lead for several minutes. A jump shot from TJ Harvin put Southern Wesleyan trailing only two, at 51-53 and trailing only one at 54-55 on a jump shot from Solomon Smith. Holmes made three free throws to take a 65-64 lead with roughly 20 seconds remaining in the contest. Out of a Pacers time-out, Damontez Oliver drained a 3-pointer to send them ahead at 67-65. The Warriors attempted to get one last shot off, but were unsuccessful as USC Aiken went on to win the game. 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan travels to Bristol, T.N. on December 11 to take on the King Tornado in Conference Carolinas action at 7:30 p.m. They will then head to Gaffney, S.C. to take on the Limestone Saints on December 14 at 4 p.m.