AIKEN, S.C.
– USC Aiken sophomore guard Sterling Council nailed a jumper
with 9.5 seconds left Monday night to deliver USC Aiken to a 71-68
upset victory over No. 6 Augusta State in the Convocation
Center.
After an ASU turnover, the Pacers' Byron Faison hit a pair of
free throws with three seconds remaining to put USCA up 71-68. The
Jags' long pass was deflected to ASU senior guard Ben Madgen,
but his desperation attempt was well short as part of the crowd of
3,298 stormed the floor.
Madgen tallied a game-high 24 points and senior forward Fred
Brathwaite added 16 points. Daniel Dixon chipped in nine points --
all in the first half -- and managed four assists and three
steals.
Council paced USC Aiken with 15 points and Seth Leonard posted 14
points and a game-high eight rebounds.
The loss dropped ASU to 15-2 overall and 7-1 in the Peach Belt
Conference while the Pacers improved to 12-6 and 7-4, respectively.
The Jags fell to 0-3 vs. the Pacers in the Convocation Center. In
all three contests, ASU was ranked in the top 10.
With the upset, USCA snapped the Jags' 16-game, PBC winning
streak -- two shy of the league record -- and their streak of seven
straight conference road wins.
In a game that featured four ties and 10 lead changes, Greg Hire
scored on a three-play to put ASU ahead 68-65 with 1:28 left. Kevin
Willis answered with a putback to pull the hosts within 68-67. The
Pacers then forced an ASU turnover on the ensuing inbounds play and
Council's basket proved to be the game-winner.
ASU travels to Americus, Ga., on Thursday Jan. 28 to take on
Georgia Southwestern in a PBC contest at 7:30 p.m.