Box Score JACKSONVILLE, FL--Erica Larsen tied a career-high with 19 points as the USC Aiken Lady Pacers (1-0) opened the 2003-04 season with an 81-70 win over Florida Tech (0-1) in women's non-conference basketball action. The game was the opening contest of the Lady Osprey Tip-Off Classic in Jacksonville, FL. USCA wins for the first time in two meetings between the two schools and picks up a victory in its season-opener for the first time since 2001-02. 

"I think we played well at times, but we did have some lapses and I know we can play better," said head coach Mike Brandt. "Coaches can always find something, though, but I am happy to come on the road and get an 11-point win over a good opponent." 

Following a Shayla Fisher bucket with 17:17 to play in the second half to tie the game at 46-46, USCA got a 12-footer from Haylee Reichert to retake the lead 48-46. The Lady Pacers would not trail again. Ty-Anna Caravano converted two free throws with 4:34 to play to trim the margin to three at 66-63, but an 8-0 Lady Pacer run, including six straight from Larsen, sealed the game for USCA. 

Larsen finished 6-of-13 from the field, 2-of-6 from deep, and 5-of-6 at the free throw line. She added five rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes. Point guard Mindy Allee set a career-high in points with 12 on 3-of-6 from the field and 6-of-6 at the charity stripe. As a team, USCA connected on 21-of-23 free throws (91.3 percent). Florida Tech was 28-of-35 for 80.0 percent. 

"I'm not surprised at all with Erica's output today," said Brandt. "She's had a great preseason and will continue to play well for us."

In the first half, USCA jumped to the early 7-2 lead but the Lady Panthers fought back to take their first lead at 12-11 with 14:27 to play on a Caravano jumper. Allee converted a bucket in the paint to give USCA back the advantage on the next play. Trailing 19-18, a 7-0 run by FIT gave them their largest lead of the game at 25-19 with 9:12 left until halftime. But three straight lay-ups by Kasey Mills, Katie Gebhardt, and Haylee Reichert tied it up at 26-26. USCA took a 44-39 lead at the break. 

Newcomer Lana Mandic just missed a double double for the Lady Pacers with 11 points and eight rebounds. Mills added six points and game-high seven steals. Reichert had 10 points off the bench. Katie Mitchell chipped in seven points and three boards in 13 minutes. 

As a team, USCA out rebounded Florida Tech 35-25 and won the turnover battle 24-22. The Lady Pacers shot 50.9 percent for the game (28-of-55). 

After a hot shooting start in the first stanza, 59.1 percent on 13-of-22 shooting, USCA's defense held the Lady Panthers to 24.0 percent (6-of-25) in the second half. 

The 81 points was the third highest total under Brandt. 

USC Aiken will take on CIAA member Virginia State tomorrow at 2:00 PM on the final day of the Lady Osprey Tip-Off Classic in Jacksonville, FL.
SCORING:
USC Aiken (81): Erica Larsen 19, Mindy Allee 12, Lana Mandic 11, Haylee Reichert 10, Katie Mitchell 7, Kasey Mills 6, Sarah Kendrick 6, Katie Gebhardt 4, Beata Szabo 4, Benazura Serbecic 2
Florida Tech (70): Shayla Fisher 15, Marcia Alvarado 14, Sarah Awe 12, Roselyn Smith-Nelson 12, Ty-Anna Caravano 8, Laurissa Reynolds 3, Christal Carrasco 2, Sharita Tisdale 2, Kristina Harrell 2.