GRANITEVILLE, S.C. | C.J. Jones scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half as Georgia College & State University rallied for a 71-67 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory over the University of South Carolina-Aiken at the Convocation Center Saturday (Jan. 10) afternoon.

The Bobcats improved to 10-5 overall and to 5-2 in the Peach Belt, while the Pacers slipped to 7-8 and 2-5. GCSU returns to the Centennial Center for its next three games, starting with a 7:30 p.m. league encounter against Columbus State University.

USC Aiiken opened up an eight-point lead on a Brock Cherry three-pointer with 8:10 remaining in the first half, but GCSU took a 30-22 lead into the locker room as they reeled off a 19-3 run over the remainder of the first half, including a 9-0 streak over the final 3:52.

The Bobcats extended their lead out to 13 points (35-22) on a James Nichols III layup 34 seconds in the second half. However, the Pacers put together a 19-4 rally over the next 6:28 to take a 41-29 lead on McCaskill Rivers putback. USCA used a 10-2 run to take a 58-51 lead on a free throw by Caleb Byrd with 5:58 to go. GCSU responded with a 9-2 run to knot the game at 60 on a Nichols three-pointer. 

The Bobcats took the lead for good at 66-64 on a three-pointer from Jones with 2:04 remaining. Jones extended GCSU's lead to 69-64 on another Jones' three-pointer with 25 ticks. GCSU, which scored 22 points off 13 USC Aiken turnovers, hit five of its final six three-point attempts over the final 5:38 of the contest. The Pacers pulled within two points (69-67) on a Lawrence three-pointer nine seconds later, but Khalil Green hit two free throws with 12 seconds left to give the Bobcats a 71-67 lead.

Green finished with 14 points, two assists and two steals. Nichols nearly had a double double with 13 points and nine rebounds to go along with five assists, a block and a steal. Tony Carpio also finished in double figures with 12 points and six rebounds. 

Lawrence finished with 21 points for the Pacers, while Rivers tallied 14.

About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.  Read Full Article