AIKEN, S.C. – Gedi Juozapaitis scored a team-high 24 points, 19 of which came in the second half, but Flagler College was defeated by the University of South Carolina Aiken 88-79 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.

Flagler (7-7 overall, 3-3 PBC) trailed by as many as 20 points in the second half, but the Saints cut the deficit to nine (79-70) on an Allante Pickens three-pointer with 3:56 left.

With 47 seconds left, Derrick Ellis, Jr.'s transition layup closed the gap to 85-77 and he made the ensuing free throw after being fouled on the drive to the basket and the Saints trailed by seven.

USC Aiken (11-6, 7-0) made 3-of-4 free throws in the final 36 seconds to hold off Flagler.

Faison Brock led all scorers with 26 points and he added nine rebounds. Gus Rowland added 22 points and nine rebounds while Dhieu Deing contributed 14 points and six rebounds. Shaquan Jules finished with 10 points and six boards.

The Pacers forced 17 Saints turnovers and converted those into 20 points. USC Aiken out-rebounded Flagler 47-34.

Damerit Brown added 17 points for the Saints while Chris Metzger was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field for 14 points. Ellis finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

Up next for Flagler is a road game against Columbus State University on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.   
 
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