Box Score AIKEN, SC--Trailing much of the contest, the USC Aiken Lady Pacers (12-5, 3-3 PBC) cut a 14-point lead with 5:25 to play to six with the ball, but could not complete the comeback, falling 80-69 to 25th ranked Armstrong Atlantic State (13-1, 6-0 PBC) on Wednesday night at "The Courthouse".  The loss was the first for the Lady Pacers at home since November 11, 2001, a school record streak of 19-games.  

Newcomer Tishay Lewis, scored 17 of the Lady Pirates first 23 points as AASU posted a 40-32 halftime advantage.  Lewis led all scorers with 34 points, but only six in the second half.  

Down 50-39 with 15:18 to play, USCA held AASU scoreless for the next 4:51, but could only draw within six at 50-44 on one of two free throws from Allison Nold.  After getting injured in Monday's win over Francis Marion, Nold provided a courageous effort with 14 points and four rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.  Starting center Katie Mitchell, injured on Saturday at Clayton State, did not dress out for the game.  

Following Pam Mayes bucket with 5:25 to play, the Lady Pirates appeared in control with a 66-52 lead.  But the Lady Pacers were not going to surrender their streak without a fight.  An 8-0 run over the next 1:41 cut the lead to 66-60 with 3:46 to play.  However, a pivotal play late in the game did not go the Lady Pacers way.  With possession of the ball, Julie Szabo slashed to the basket and put up a shot that went in.  But it was waved off, negated by a charging violation against the senior guard.  AASU capitalized by scoring five straight points to take a 71-60 lead.  

Jami Cornwell had another big night for the Lady Pacers.  Following up Monday night's 35-point performance, Cornwell finished with 23 points to go with five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.  Jen Kennedy was the third Lady Pacer in double figures with 16 points.  Szabo, the team's leading scorer at 13.0 ppg, finished with just five points, all coming in the second half.  

The two teams seesawed back and forth in the opening four minutes of the first half, with USCA last holding the lead at 9-8.  AASU then stormed to a 23-14 lead, but the Lady Pacers used an 8-0 run capped by a Cornwell three-pointer as the shot clock expired to slice the margin to a single point at 23-22 with 12:37 left until half time.  The Lady Pirates defense shut down USCA's offense not allowing them a field goal over the final 9:37 of the first half.  

Lewis finished 10-of-16 from the field, 4-of-6 from downtown, and 10-of-11 at the stripe.  Tasha Washington added 20 points.  As a team, AASU shot 47.3 percent for the game, were 7-of-20 from deep, and connected on 21-of-29 at the stripe.  

USCA committed 23 turnovers and dished out a season-low nine assists.  
USC Aiken hits the road on Saturday, January 18 when they play at PBC North Division rival USC Spartanburg at 2:00 PM.  Following Augusta State's 59-54 win over Kennesaw State, the Lady Pacers now trail ASU by one game in the North Division standings.  

SCORING:
#25 Armstrong Atlantic State (80): Tishay Lewis 34, Tasha Washington 20, Zandrique Cason 8, Vandy Noldon 6, Alicia Durham 5, Pam Mayes 4, Shanetra Hodge 2, Anita Griffin 1

USC Aiken (69): Jami Cornwell 23, Jen Kennedy 16, Allison Nold 14, Erica Larsen 5, Julie Szabo 5, Sarah Kendrick 3, Mindy Allee 3