BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA. – The University of South Carolina Beaufort hosted the University of South Carolina Aiken on Saturday afternoon at The Cove on Novant Health Court. The Sand Sharks closed out an 83–71 victory over the Pacers after a strong opening half, building a 10-point halftime lead.
The Sand Sharks improved to 14–5 on the season and 8–3 in Peach Belt Conference play. USCA fell to 9–10 overall with a 4–7 conference record.
USCB was led in scoring by Evan Kilminster and Shea Champine, who each finished with 13 points. Nolan Paladugu and Qurahn Anderson added 12 points apiece. Dylan Lewis and Seth Cullen grabbed team highs of six rebounds each.
Paladugu opened the scoring by drilling a three-pointer off an assist from Kilminster in the opening seconds for a 3–0 lead. Aiken tied the game at 7–7 before an Aiden Fitzgerald three-pointer, his first of the game, put the Sand Sharks back in front, 10–7. Kilminster continued the strong offensive start with USCB's third three-pointer of the first half to extend the lead to 14–9.
The Sand Sharks pushed the advantage to double digits for the first time midway through the opening half on a Champine driving layup off a USCA turnover. The basket, assisted by Anderson, made it 21–11.
USCB stretched the run to 11–0 over a four-minute span, opening a 25–11 lead capped by a Champine steal and fastbreak dunk with 8:25 remaining in the half. The Sand Sharks continued to build the lead as Fitzgerald knocked down his second three-pointer of the half, this time off an assist from Ismail Rashid, making it 32–17.
The Pacers cut the deficit to single digits with a 9–2 run over two minutes, trimming the lead to 37–28, but a Rashid three-pointer halted the USCA run. USCB led 41–33 before an Anderson basket in the final seconds sent the Sand Sharks into halftime with a 43–33 advantage.
The second half opened with the teams trading baskets, as Kevaughn Price answered a Pacers score. Price then scored four straight points before a Paladugu three-pointer pushed the Sand Sharks' lead to 50–35 with 18 minutes remaining.
USC Beaufort's lead reached 16 on multiple occasions before growing to 18 following a Kilminster steal and fastbreak layup for a 63–45 advantage.
Seth Cullen extended the lead to 20 at 70–50 after securing his fourth offensive rebound and converting a putback jumper, completing a 6–1 spurt. The lead reached 22 points before USCA closed the gap to 76–65 with five minutes left.
Kilminster ended the Pacers' run with a three-pointer, his 13th point of the afternoon, to make it 79–65. Dominic Eason followed with a jumper as the Sand Sharks scored five straight to close out the 83–71 victory.
The Sand Sharks forced 19 turnovers and scored 23 points off those turnovers.
USCB returns to action on the road Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. against Augusta before returning home Jan. 31 to face Lander University.
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