JEFFERSON CITY, TN--Curt Triplin’s 18 points led five Pacers in double figures, but USC Aiken (0-1) could not overcome 27 turnovers in falling to the Carson-Newman Eagles (2-0) 84-71 in men’s non-conference basketball action Saturday night at Holt Field House.

Carson-Newman opened up a 28-13 lead midway through the first half and held off a late Pacer run to take a 42-30 advantage into the locker room. The Eagles extended their lead to 75-52 with five minutes remaining. USCA outscored the Eagles 19-9 to close the game.

Triplin was 6-of-8 from the field to finish with 18 points and five rebounds. Senior Todd Williams had a solid all-around game with 11 points, nine rebounds, and five blocked shots in 24 minutes. Minda Statkus added 14 points while Lee Burton and Leroy Williams chipped in 13 and 11 points respectively.

USC Aiken shot 45.8 percent from the field for the game, but were just 3-of-14 from the three-point line. The Pacers converted 24-of-29 free throw attempts (82.8 percent). Carson-Newman connected on 42.4 percent of its shots from the floor and were 8-of-22 from deep. The Eagles were 20-of-28 at the stripe (71.4 percent).

The Pacers were plagued by 27 turnovers compared the Carson-Newman’s 16.

Todd Lucas led the Eagles with 21 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Braun Dabbs added 13 points while Rodrick Gresham chipped in 11 points off the bench.

USC Aiken will take on Tusculum College on Sunday at 3:00 PM in Greeneville, Tenn.

SCORING:
USC Aiken (71): Curt Triplin 18, Minda Statkus 14, Lee Burton 13, Todd Williams 11, Leroy Williams 11, Bryant Latimer 2, Jamall Gray 2

Carson-Newman (84): Todd Lucas 21, Braun Dabbs 13, Rodrick Gresham 11, Ishmail Simmons 10, Rob Love 10, Amonzo Gantt 6, Marquise Foster 4, Stan Davis 4, Anthony Jones 3, Jonathan Martin 2.

Boxscore

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