MORROW, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball squad fought hard, staying close for much of the contest, until Clayton State pulled away in the second half for a 75-53 victory.

The Pacers are now 3-11 overall, including a 1-4 mark against Peach Belt Conference foes.

Rookie Kate Duff poured in a career-high 14 points to pace the squad in the loss. She drained six-of-11 shots from the field, including one from downtown. Junior Mackenzie Reese amassed 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Additionally, she swatted two shots. Courtney Mealing and Porsha Martin both hit for eight points and Martin snagged seven rebounds.

After falling behind 7-0, head coach Mike Brandt's team bounced back quickly. Mealing found a slicing Duff for a twisting lay-up at the 17:30 mark. Reese registered her first block of the game and promptly connected for a bucket on the offensive end after a nifty pass from Mariah Durian.

The home team made a deep three, but Mealing and Durian made back-to-back baskets, pulling the Pacers within two at 10-8.

Trailing 13-8, Mealing connected for four straight points, pulling the team within one at 13-12 with 13:47 to play in the first half. On the next possession, Duff collected an offensive rebound and put it back up for a 14-13 advantage.

The home squad went on a run before the break, holding a 34-19 lead. However, Durian trimmed the lead on a lay-up. She followed it up with a three-point shot from the wing, making it a 10-point game with 2:21 to go before intermission.

Down by 12, Duff converted on an old-fashioned three-point play off a pass from Carly Gilreath, leaving it a 36-27 contest at halftime.

Thanks in part to strong defense and two quick baskets by Reese and Mealing, USC Aiken trimmed the deficit to five at the 18:30 mark in the second period. However, Clayton State was able to slowly stretch the lead to double figures en route to the win.  

The Pacers return home Saturday when they play host to Young Harris. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.