AIKEN, S.C. - The 8th-ranked UNC Pembroke men's basketball team shot 45.6-percent from the field and scored 15 second chance points on the way to a 70-64 non-conference victory against USC Aiken on Sunday afternoon inside the Convocation Center. 
 
The Braves (2-2) snapped a two-game losing skid and have now won the last two meetings against USC Aiken when playing in South Carolina. The Pacers (1-1) picked up 21 points off of turnovers and hold a 35-24 all-time record against UNCP. 



 

THE BASICS

SCORE: #8 UNC Pembroke 70, USC Aiken 64 RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 2-2; USC Aiken 1-1 LOCATION: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

A Nygell Verdier jumper in the paint gave UNC Pembroke a 16-13 lead in the opening half. USC Aiken took what would be its largest lead of the contest, 26-20, with a fastbreak layup from Jameel Rideout with 4-1/2 minutes on the clock. The Braves shot 48-percent from the field and went on a 7-2 run in the final minute to hold a 33-30 lead as the teams heading into the locker rooms.

2ND HALF

UNCP opened the half on a quick 9-0 run to extend their lead out to 39-30 after a jumper in the paint from JaJuan Carr. UNC Pembroke took its largest lead of the contest, 42-32, with a 3-pointer from Bradlee Haskell with 16:51 left in regulation. The Pacers worked their deficit back to 50-48 with a dunk from Tehree Horn, but a bucket from Nygell Verdier with just over a minute left pushed the UNCP lead back out to nine points, 67-58, to hold off a USC Aiken comeback.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ JaJuan Carr led all scorers with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting. Carr was 6-for-9 from the free throw line and pulled down four rebounds while dishing out two assists.  + Nygell Verdier logged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Verdier was 6-for-10 from the field while also adding a block and a steal. + Bradlee Haskell added 11 points in 22 minutes of work. Elijah Cobb also grabbed 11 rebounds and just missed a double-double with nine points.

NOTABLES

+ UNC Pembroke shot 45.6-percent from the field during Sunday's victory.  + For the second consecutive game, the Braves have posted a double-digit advantage in the rebounds column over their opponents. UNCP was +13 during Sunday's games.  + The outcome for the Braves marked the first win on the road this season and was also the third straight victory over USC Aiken.  + The Pacers scored 21 points off of 16 UNC Pembroke turnovers.

UP NEXT

The Braves will travel back to Tennessee on Saturday when they face Tusculum. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. inside the Pioneer Arena.

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BACK THE BRAVES

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Men's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.