AIKEN --- Zach Evans scored 17 points to lead Lander to a 68-53 victory over Francis Marion on Wednesday night in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.
The Bearcats (10-18) advance to play No. 5 USC Aiken at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.
Lander shot 42 percent from the field and led by 14 at halftime. Ford Lawrence added 11 points for the Bearcats, while Scottie Smith had 10.
Sam Smith posted a game-high 20 points to lead Francis Marion (12-16).
WOMEN
Armstrong Atlantic State 74, UNC Pembroke 68
Lacey Willis scored a team-high 16 points to lead five Lady Pirates in double figures in the victory.
Armstrong Atlantic State (18-10) advances to play Clayton State at 1 p.m. today in the quarterfinals.
UNC Pembroke (10-18) tried to pull off the tournament's first upset.
The Lady Braves fell down by 10 at halftime but twice pulled within three points in the second half.
Armstrong Atlantic State connected on eight of nine free-throw attempts in the final 1:09 to seal the win.
NORTH GEORGIA 74, GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE 64
Megan Huffman scored 19 points as the Lady Saints won their first-ever tournament game.
North Georgia (17-11) advances to face No. 1 seed Francis Marion at 5 p.m. today in the quarterfinals.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com
PACERS ON TOP
Peach Belt Conference regular-season champion USC Aiken moved into the top spot in the South Atlantic Region men's basketball poll released on Wednesday.
The Pacers, who have won 12 in a row and are 25-2 overall, had been No. 2 behind Augusta State.
The Jaguars (22-5) dropped a spot after losing to Columbus State last week.
USC Aiken will play Lander in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament at 7 p.m. Friday.
Augusta State will play Clayton State in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Friday.
-- From staff reports
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