ST. AUGUSTINE – Both teams struggled shooting in the first half, especially from three-point range, but the University of South Carolina Aiken was just a little bit better in the second half and went on to defeat Flagler College 81-72 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday night at Flagler Gymnasium.

Flagler (11-12 overall, 7-8 PBC) trailed by as many as 25 in the second half, but went on a 30-13 run over an 8-minute, 34-second span to cut the deficit to single digits (76-68) after a three-pointer by Allante Pickens with 1:41 left.

Several seconds later, Lawrence Slim's layup with 1:05 left pulled the Saints to within seven (77-70). But that would be as close as Flagler would get.

USC Aiken (16-9, 12-3) made 20-of-28 from the free throw line and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line with under a minute left. The Pacers made 77.8 percent (14-18) from the charity stripe in the second half.

Chris Metzger led the Saints with 13 points and nine rebounds. Derrick Ellis, Jr. added 12 points. Tyler Collier tied his season-best with 12 points and he grabbed a season-high six rebounds. He had a perfect shooting night going 4-for-4 from the field and from the free throw line. Damerit Brown contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Slim equaled his season-high with seven rebounds.

Dhieu Deing led five Pacers in double-figures with a game-high 17 points. Gus Rowland added 15 points while Shaquan Jules provided 13 points. Faison Brock and Damontez Oliver each contributed 12 points. Robert Hall grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.  

The Pacers forced 19 Saints turnovers and scored 19 points in return.

Flagler hosts Columbus State University on Saturday (Feb. 15) at 3:30 p.m.
 
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