AIKEN - USC Aiken's Alvin Brown sank the first of two free throws with one second remaining Wednesday night to lead the Pacers to a 54-53 Peach Belt Conference victory over Lander at the Convocation Center.
USC Aiken improves to 16-9 overall and 10-8 in the PBC, while Lander moves to 10-15, 3-14.
David Pruett, who connected on 8-of-13 field goals, including 4-of-5 threes, and 5-of-6 free throws, scored a game-high 25 points for Lander. Darion Canty added 10 points and Jermel Kennedy eight rebounds.
USCA was led by Byron Faison and Sterling Council, who scored 17 and 11 points respectively. Kevin Wills grabbed eight rebounds for the Pacers.
After battling through six ties, USCA went on an 8-0 run to take a 44-36 lead with 11:39 left in the game.
Lander's Darius Carrier put in a layup, Pruett sank a three and Darion Canty added a jumper to come within 44-43 with 7:29 left.
The Bearcats took the lead at 45-44 at 6:55 on a Tovi Bailey layup.
The Pacers immediately answered with a Faison three to take a 47-45 advantage.
Pruett sank two free throws with 3:11 remaining to tie the game at 50-50, then the two teams tied again twice more before Brown sank his winning free throw.
Lander started the game with a 7-0 run on a free throw and two field goals by Canty, and a pair of Bailey free throws. The Pacers raced back for the game's first tie at 15-15 on a Faison three with 8:16 left in the half.
They fought to four more ties until Council's three pointer with 26 seconds left gave the Pacers a 30-27 advantage at intermission.
Lander connected on 19-of-50 field goals for 38 percent, including 4-of-10 threes for 40 percent. The Bearcats also made 11-of-15 foul shots for 73.3 percent.
USCA was 18-of-45 from the field for 40 percent, including 7-of-13 threes for 30.4 percent. The Pacers were 11-of-15 from the free throw line for 73.3 percent.
