AIKEN – Lander's Matthew Bell scored just 27 seconds into the game, then with a 4-0 lead, the Bearcats held off USC Aiken's three-goal, second-half rally to earn a 4-3 Peach Belt Conference victory over the Pacers Wednesday night.

Lander improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the PBC, while USCA falls to 2-2-2, 0-2.

Bell's goal, which was assisted by Kevin Durand, who also provided the pass to Lewis Blissett five minutes later when the Bearcats took a 2-0 lead at 5:42.

Chris Hobbs stretched the Lander advantage to 3-0 at 31:00 on an assist by Bell, then found the back of the net again right before halftime on another Durand assist at 44:45.

The Pacers then went on a furious comeback and scored three goals in seven minutes to trim the Lander lead to 4-3.

USCA avoided the shutout when Tobias Haenschke headed the ball in at 53:51 on an assist from Noel Mais, then cut the cut the gap to 4-2 at 55:43 on Mark Hanlon's penalty kick. Mohamed Fall's unassisted goal at 60:50 completed rally.

The Pacers outshot Lander, 15-13, and led in corner kicks, 14-13.

Lander goalkeeper Barrett Nielsen had five saves.