USC Aiken and Augusta, the top two seeded teams in the Peach Belt Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament, both advanced to Friday’s semifinals with victories Thursday at Augusta University’s Christenberry Fieldhouse.
USC Aiken overcame a three-point deficit in the final minute to top Georgia Southwestern in the opening game of the quarterfinal round thanks to the late game heroics of sophomore Tyler Johnson.
Johnson scored 6 of his game high 20 points in the final 49 seconds to propel No. 1 USC Aiken to a 71-70 win over No. 8 Georgia Southwestern.
With 49 seconds remaining, Johnson tied the game at 68 with a three point play before putting the Pacers ahead for good with 12 seconds remaining.
The Pacers will take on No. 4 Lander at 5:00 p.m. in today’s first semifinal round game. Lander advanced after an 80-67 victory over No. 5 Young Harris Thursday.
No. 2 Augusta eliminated Flagler with an 85-75 win behind 20 points from senior point guard Tyree Myers. Myers made 4 of his 7 three point attempts. He also dished 6 assists and pulled down 5 rebounds.
Sophomore Ja’Queze Kirby added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, and David Viti chipped in 15 points in the victory. Kirby and Viti combined to run off 8 consecutive points during a key second half stretch when Augusta expanded a one-point lead to nine before sailing to the win.
The Jaguars will face No. 6 Columbus State in the 7:30 p.m. second semifinal round game tonight after the Cougars defeated North Georgia 74-69 Thursday.
