AIKEN, South Carolina – The University of South Carolina Beaufort traveled to Aiken on Wednesday for its conference opener, where the University of South Carolina Aiken closed out a 74–73 victory over the Sand Sharks in a thrilling conference opener.
The loss drops USCB to 6–2 overall and 0–1 in conference play, while USCA improves to 5–2 and 1–0 in league action.
USCB was led by Dominic Eason, who scored 19 points and was one of three Sand Sharks in double figures. Hudson Norton added 14 points, and Aiden Fitzgerald finished with 13.
The Sand Sharks opened the game with four straight points from Kevaughn Price, including an offensive rebound putback. USCA answered with a three-pointer and later grabbed its first lead on a fast-break dunk off a steal. The Pacers stretched their run to seven before Norton ended the run. Fitzgerald then scored seven of the next 10 USCB points as the Sand Sharks took a 16–10 lead with 15:45 left in the first half.
USCA responded with a seven-point run to retake the lead, and the teams traded baskets over the next several minutes. The period featured five lead changes as Fitzgerald hit his third three-pointer of the half to put USCB ahead 26–24, then added another to make it 29–27.
The Pacers' defense held USCB scoreless for four minutes, reclaiming a 32–31 advantage with 2:24 remaining. Seth Cullen snapped the scoring drought with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, but USCA closed the half with a driving buzzer-beater to take a 39–34 lead.
Fitzgerald led all Sand Sharks at the break with 13 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Both teams shot better than 40 percent in the first half and hit six three-pointers apiece.
Out of halftime, Eason scored the first three points for USCB, but USCA extended its lead to 46–37 after a three-pointer with 17 minutes remaining.
USCB began chipping away as Evan Kilminster hit a three-pointer, followed by an Eason steal and two-handed dunk to cut the deficit to 47–43. The Sand Sharks cameback at the 10:11 mark when Norton buried a three-pointer to cap a seven-point run and give USCB a 52–51 lead, forcing a USCA timeout and the first Sand Shark lead since the opening half.
The Sand Sharks continued to build momentum after the timeout. Following a brief tie, Norton scored five straight points, including a three-pointer, set up by a Price steal and an Ismail Rashid assist, giving USCB a 57–52 lead. USCA, however, answered with a three and mounted a run of its own, retaking the lead 64–62 with five minutes to play.
The Pacers extended their lead to 71–66 entering the final minute. Kilminster scored to pull USCB within one possession, then answered USCA free throws to keep the margin to two. With the Sand Sharks trailing 72–70, USCB's steal attempt was balanced out as the Pacers stole the ball back, and the Pacers converted two free throws to seal the 74–73 win after a three pointer in the final seconds by the Sand Sharks.
USCB continues its road swing on Saturday at Lander at 3:30 p.m. before returning home for its first conference game at home against Augusta.
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