Pacers step up, post OT victory

AIKEN --- With the game on the line late, USC Aiken didn't have the luxury of having veterans like Kingsley Oguchi, Brian Egwuatu and Chris Commons on the floor.

After losing all five starters off last season's Sweet 16 team, this year's version of the Pacers were asked to step up down the stretch against Life University. The young guys did just that.

Sophomore guard Sterling Council swished his only field goal of the evening, a 17-foot jump shot with 0.7 seconds left in overtime, to lift USC Aiken to an 87-85 season-opening victory Wednesday at the convocation center.

"We lost a lot of guys, but there's a lot of guys back from that team," senior guard Casey McMasters said. "The guys that came back learned a lot the past two years, playing down the stretch, playing in big games. The experience from the past two years really carried over."

USC Aiken shot just 25 percent in the second half and trailed by six with 3:18 remaining. McMasters, who scored a team-high 18 points, popped a 3-pointer. Then, freshman guard Re'mon Nelson drained a game-tying three with 19 seconds left in regulation.

"I was very pleased with their composure," Pacers coach Vince Alexander said. "I love our young kids. I'm very excited about them. I see them getting better every day."

Life University, ranked No. 23 in NAIA Division I, fell to 5-2 on the season. The Running Eagles committed 28 turnovers but had a chance to hand USC Aiken just its second regular-season home loss in 29 games.

Life tried to set up a game-winning play at the end of regulation. Tay Barber, who scored a game-high 26 points, drove the right side of the lane and appeared to have an open path to the basket. His high layup off the glass missed long.

Darius Bates grabbed the offensive rebound. But his putback at the buzzer fell short off the rim.

"I think we played against a very good team. We knew coming into tonight they were going to be very good," Alexander said. "They gave us all they had."

In overtime, Life's Greg Brown tied the game with six seconds left. But USC Aiken freshman guard Jesse Seilern Und Aspang pushed the ball up court and found Council in the right corner.

After missing his first five shots, Council dropped the one that counted.

"I just shot it with confidence," said Council, who had nine points. "By the grace of God, I made it."

"That's his shot, that mid-range (shot)," McMasters said. "Everybody wants him to shoot that. He knew he had to shoot it."

Nelson scored 12 points and added eight assists and seven boards for the Pacers. Jakub Gadomski chipped in with 12 points, while Seth Leonard added 10.

The Pacers drained seven of their 10 3-pointers in the first half and shot 12 for 13 from the line to secure a 49-44 lead at intermission.

USC Aiken finished the game, shooting 38 percent from the field. The Pacers also knocked down just 29 of 42 attempts from the foul line, including a 2 for 7 in overtime.

"That's just pathetic," Alexander said. "We need to learn to shoot free throws."