UNC Pembroke baseball routs USC Aiken 17-3

The University of South Carolina-Aiken baseball team saw its 16-game winning streak snapped with a 17-3 rout by UNC Pembroke Friday night. Click here to see how UNCP's win impacts the Peach Belt Conference regular season title race.

NCAA Division II Regional Finals Preview--Men

Monday night, it was the ladies decided which teams would go to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight (That starts Tuesday, March 24, in San Antonio, Tex.). Now, it's the men's turn to decide who'll punch a ticket to Springfield, Mass. for their national tournament. First, though, let's quickly recap the women's regional finals turned out. Just click the highlighted link (s) below.

Southeast Women (at Hickory, N.C.)

Clayton State 89, Francis Marion 73

A career-high 22 points from senior Lisa Jackson helps lift the Lakers to second their Elite Eight appearance in three years.

South Women (at Cleveland, Miss.)

Delta State 50, Ouachita Baptist 49

A basket from Courtney Wilson in the closing seconds sends the Lady Statesmen to San Antonio.

And now, let's preview tonight's men's regional finals...starting with the...

Southeast Men's Final (at Hickory, N.C.)--Tuesday 7 p.m. EDT

#1 Augusta State vs. #2 USC Aiken

It's the match-up that many fans in the Southeast Region (especially those in the Peach Belt Conference) have been waiting for: the top two seeds playing each other for the right to go to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight at Springfield, Mass. Obviously, most fans in the Central Savannah River Area, or CSRA (which includes Aiken, S.C., as well as Augusta, Ga.) for short, don't need any reminders as to how huge this game will be.

Article courtesy of the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle

South Men's Final (at Lakeland, Fla.)--Tuesday 7 p.m. EDT

#1 Florida Southern vs. #2 Christian Brothers

As big as the Augusta State-USC Aiken contest is, there are also seven other regional titles that are to be decided tonight. One of those match-ups is on the campus of Florida Southern College. That's where the top-seeded (and host) Mocs from the Sunshine State Conference will do battle with the second-seeded Buccaneers from the Gulf South Conference. FSC rallied late to win a dramatic overtime thriller over Arkansas Tech, 95-92 to get to the Sweet 16, while CBU rolled past an outstanding Claflin, 72-53. It's one of those games where it's a shame that someone has to lose.

Augusta State tops USC Aiken, Lakers fall to Bobcats

In a game that lived up to its billing, No. 7-ranked Augusta State stunned No. 2 USC Aiken 87-76 Monday night. On that same evening, the Georgia College & State University Bobcats handed the No. 25 Clayton State University Lakers their first loss of the season in a 58-49 upset win on the road.

Article courtesy of the Peach Belt Conference

Aiken, Augusta meet for 50th time

The No. 2 University of South Carolina-Aiken Pacers and the No. 7 Augusta State University Jaguars meet for the 50th time in men's basketball Monday night. It's the first time the Peach Belt Conference has had a regular season match-up of nationally ranked teams in the Top 10.

Article courtesy of the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle

ALSO SEE...

USC Aiken, Augusta State get set for historic showdown

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ASU and USC-Aiken Prepare For Rivalry Game

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2008-09 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--Peach Belt Conference Men

After a hiatus of a little over a week, the preseason thoughts on NCAA Division II basketball in the Southeast continue on D-II South Sports. This installment features what's likely to be a tight regular season men's race in the Peach Belt Conference.

1. USC Aiken

2. Augusta State

3. GC&SU

4. Clayton State

5. Armstrong Atlantic State

6. Francis Marion

7. Georgia Southwestern State

8. Columbus State

9. North Georgia

10. Lander

11. UNC Pembroke

Analysis: With four of five starters returning from last season NCAA Tournament, USC Aiken is the team to beat going into this season. But don't count out defending national runner-up Augusta State, as the Jaguars bring back field goal percentage leader Garrett Siler, as well as all-conference Ben Madgen. From there, it's anybody's guess as to who will finish third or lower in the PBC. That includes defending conference tourney champion Clayton State, whose Lakers overcame a sluggish regular season to earn the Peach Belt's autobid to the NCAA D-II dance, losing to ASU in the South Atlantic regional semifinals.

2008-09 BASKETBALL PREVIEW--Peach Belt Conference Women

Welcome to the 2008-09 D-II South Sports preseason basketball previews. The road to "March Madness" starts here. Here are the preseason predictions for the women's teams in the Peach Belt Conference.

D-II South Sports Prediction--Peach Belt Conference Women

1. USC Aiken

2. Clayton State

3. Francis Marion

4. GC&SU

5. Columbus State

6. North Georgia

7. Lander

8. UNC Pembroke

9. Augusta State

10. Armstrong Atlantic State

11. Georgia Southwestern State

Analysis: After a season where five, yes, five teams shared the Peach Belt Conference regular season title, what does someone do for an encore? Well, how about another campaign filled with potential unpredictability. USC Aiken begins the season ranked No. 19 in the nation, while Clayton State starts at No. 21. The Lady Pacers, as well as Columbus State, get strong early season tests this weekend, as they open the 2008-09 campaign at the Disney Division II Tip Off Classic at Orlando, Fla.