AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team opened its conference slate by netting a 56-51 victory over visiting Georgia College Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 5-5 on the season while the Bobcats are now 4-4.

Mariah Durian guided the Pacers with a game-high 15 points off the bench. Emry Tsitouris tallied a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds while Mackenzie Reese chipped in 11 markers.

For the game, head coach Mike Brandt's team canned 38.8 percent of its shots from the floor (19-for-49) and made five three-point baskets. The squad also drained 13 charity tosses.

The difference in the contest came in points off turnovers. The Pacers forced 17 miscues and converted the mistakes into 14 points while allowing the Bobcats to just convert 10 points off 14 turnovers.

Leading 13-11, Tsitouris took a pass from Amaura Brandt for a twisting lay-up at the 9:21 mark. Tsitouris absorbed contact on the play and went to the line before calmly converting the old-fashioned three-point play. Brandt's three-point basket on the next possession pushed the margin to eight at 19-11.

Although Georgia College pulled within three with 1:27 to play in the opening stanza, Reese's free throw made it a four-point edge at halftime.

Brandt's team stretched its lead to nine with 12:18 to go when Durian drilled a three-point bucket off a pass from Katelyn Grisillo. However, the Bobcats sliced the lead to just one at the 9:13 mark.

The teams traded points and Georgia College took a 48-47 lead at the 3:28 mark. However, Durian's swift move and foul-line jumper gave the Pacers the lead.

Tied at 51 after a free throw by the visitors, Durian answered the bell with a jumper at the 1:03 mark, solidifying the lead. Grisillo hit a pair of free throws before Stephanie Ball completed the scoring with a charity toss.

The Pacers return to action Saturday at 1:30 p.m., when they host Columbus State.