Friday, November 24, 2000

BLUE HOSE PREVAIL IN OVERTIME 73-70 OVER USC AIKEN 
IN 4TH ANNUAL SAC/PBC CLASH
PC’s Rayford ices game with 10 points from the free throw line in overtime

CLINTON, SC — Presbyterian College sophomore guard Chuck Rayford (Greenville, SC) scored a game-high 23 points including 10 in overtime to lead the Blue Hose to a 73-70 overtime win over USC Aiken in the fourth annual South Atlantic Conference/Peach Belt Conference Clash Friday night.

Rayford dominated in overtime, hitting 10-of-11 free throws to seal the win for PC. His 23 points gives him three straight games of 20+ points to open the season.

The Blue Hose jumped out to a early 11-1 lead at the 17:13 mark thanks in part to five straight missed shots by the Pacers to open the game. USC Aiken fought back and went on a 23-7 run to take a six point lead at 24-18 with 6:31 remaining. PC took control of the momentum and went on a 15-6 run to end the half and retake the lead at intermission 33-30. The Blue Hose struggled from the field (39.1%) first half, but outrebounded the Pacers 20-11.

The second half saw the Pacers make a early run to start the second half and took a 44-39 lead with 11:58 remaining. USC Aiken increased their lead to as many as 10 points (52-42) with 8:48 remaining before the Blue Hose came alive and went on a 16-6 run to end the second half. PC’s sophomore forward Rod Isom (Anderson, SC) hit a pair of free throws with :19 seconds remaining to tie the game at 58-58 and force overtime.

In the extra period, Rayford did his damage at the free throw line as PC only hit two field goals while USC Aiken missed a pair of free throws with :35 seconds remaining that would have given the Pacers the lead.

The game was won on the charity stripe as PC went 34-of-41 as a team while the Pacers struggled to shoot nine-of-21 at the line.

Joining Rayford for scoring honors was Isom who tallied 15 points and seven rebounds, senior center D.J. Humphries (Union, SC) added 14 points and 10 rebounds while sophomore forward Jeff Whittle (Strasburg, VA) added 10 points and four rebounds.

USC Aiken was led by senior forward Chris Robinson (Alachua, FL) who tallied a team-best 15 points and 10 rebounds while senior guard Aeron Atkinson (Jacksonville, FL) added 14 points. Rounding out the double figure scorers for the Pacers was senior guard Dain Brown (St. Petersburg, FL) who added 13 points, seven assists.

PC improves to 3-0 on the season while USC Aiken drops to 1-2.

Both teams return to action tomorrow as USC Aiken takes on Newberry at 6:00 pm and PC hosts Lander at 8:00 pm.