The Pacers (20-7), the regular season conference champions, advance to play the North Georgia-Armstrong Atlantic State winner at 6 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.
Against Clayton State (13-14), USC Aiken shot 51 percent from the field. Santoine Butler posted 14 points and five blocks (all in the second half) for the Pacers, while Re’mon Nelson and Paul Larsen each chipped in with 12 points apiece.
Omari Murray paced the Lakers with a game-high 30 points.
