AIKEN, S.C.--USC Aiken men’s basketball team fell to the Akron Wingfoots, 91-87, in an exhibition game tonight at “The Courthouse” in Aiken, S.C. Minda Statkus scored a team-high 19 points in the Pacers final tune-up before the start of the 2003-04 season. The Wingfoots, a member of the National Alliance of Basketball Leagues, were led in scoring by Joe Nixon with 26 points.

Lee Burton’s jumper gave the Pacers an 83-82 lead with 1:40 left to play in the game. Nixon’s sixth three-pointer, inside of a minute to play, gave the advantage back to Akron, 85-83.

Todd Williams connected on the second of two free throw attempts to cut the lead to one but USC Aiken would get no closer as the Wingfoots hit all four of their free throw attempts in the final 17 seconds of play.

Burton finished with 13 points. Williams scored 14 along with Curt Triplin. Bryant Latimer’s 12 points gave the Pacers five players with double-figure point totals.

Akron improves to 6-4 on their college tour, which includes a win over NCAA Division I Savannah State.

The Pacers will begin their 2003-04 season on Nov. 22 with a trip to Tennessee to face two South Atlantic Conference contenders. On Saturday, USC Aiken will play Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn., at 8:00 p.m., and on Sunday the Pacers will play at Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn., at 3:00 p.m.

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