September 18, 2009

USC Aiken-Augusta State Rivalry Moved to January 25

AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken athletic department in conjunction with the Augusta State athletic department and the Peach Belt Conference announced on Friday that the USC Aiken-Augusta State men's and women's basketball rivalry games at the Convocation Center have been moved back to Monday, Jan. 25, 2010.

The games, which were originally scheduled for Jan. 2, 2010, will now tip off at 5:30 p.m. from the Convocation Center. The USC Aiken women's basketball team will play the Jaguars first before the Pacer men and Jaguar men take to the hardwood immediately following at approximately 7:30 p.m.

"We made this move because our students were not yet going to be back from Holiday vacation and we want everyone to be able to experience this great rivalry in person," noted USC Aiken athletic director Randy Warrick. "This also allows us to not have to bring back our basketball workers and game administrators during the holiday season. To me, this falls in line with the NCAA's Balance of Life initiative."

The new schedule means that fans will get the opportunity to see the Pacers and Jaguars play a home and home series just a week apart with the second game in the rivalry at Christenberry Fieldhouse scheduled for Feb. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

"We noticed that USC Aiken and Augusta State both had considerable gaps in their schedule in late January so we decided to work to see if we could make this happen," continued Warrick. "I want to thank Augusta State athletic director Clint Bryant and PBC Commissioner David Brunk for helping us to make this a reality."