Box Score AUGUSTA, Ga - The Augusta University men's basketball team fell to rival USC Aiken 83-70 Saturday afternoon. The Jaguars move to 8-6, 1-3 in conference play while Aiken improves to 12-2, 3-1.  Augusta returns to play on Wednesday, Jan. 17 when they travel to take on Flagler. Tipoff is set for 7:30pm.
 
Augusta (8-6, 1-3 PBC)
FG% 41.9
3PT% 29.4
FT% 68.4
 
USC Aiken (12-2, 3-1 PBC)
FG% 51.7
3PT% 52
FT% 66.7
 
Ja'Queze Kirby led Augusta with 21 points and eight rebounds. Demitri Gardner added 15 points and three assists while Max Amadasun carded another double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. David Viti tallied 10 points.
 
Augusta went to the locker room at halftime down 46-31. A three-pointer from Kirby and a jumper from Gardner initiated Jaguar scoring in the first half. The Pacers quickly answered with two triples of their own and jumped out to a 12-5 lead. USC Aiken shootings hit eight shots from beyond the arc in the first half to lead by 16 points. Augusta went to the locker room at halftime down 46-31
 
A made basket from Gardner sparked a 5-1 run early in the second half that trimmed the lead to 47-36 with 18:33 left on the clock. Augusta was able to narrow the lead to nine but would fall 83-70.
 
USC Aiken was led by Jalen McCoy's 23 points.
 
Live stats and video for Wednesday's road contest will be available at augustajags.com.
 
Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.AugustaJags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags