GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a 70-56 decision at Lander Saturday evening in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 7-16 overall, including a 5-9 mark against conference competition.

Courtney Mealing led the way with a team-best 15 points for head coach Mike Brandt's team. Mackenzie Reese added 10 markers while Porsha Martin notched eight points. Amaura Brandt totaled seven.

Kassy Johannsen came off the bench to pull down a game-best seven rebounds in just 14 minutes of work. She also added a block. Kate Duff tallied five markers off the bench.

The Pacers connected on 44.2 percent of their shots from the floor, including a seven-of-13 effort from downtown (53.8 percent). However, USC Aiken connected on just three-of-seven free throws while the home squad buried 19-of-31 from the charity stripe.

For the game, Brandt's team was outrebounded 38-31, but the Pacers dished out 15 assists compared to just eight for the home team. The visitors had four blocks while LU had just two.

The teams battled back-and-forth in the early going. Reese's three-point bucket at the 17:55 mark provided the opening points of the game.

The Pacers return to action Monday when they play host to Flagler at 5:30 p.m. It marks the first of back-to-back home games for Brandt's squad. Trailing 6-5, Brandt hit a jumper, putting the Pacers ahead 7-6. Mealing's three-point bucket gave USC Aiken its largest lead of the game at 10-6.

LU gained a 29-20 lead only to see Brandt's team rattle off five straight points to end the first half. Martin took a pass from Mealing and drilled a jumper before Brandt canned a three with 1:15 to play before intermission. Neither team could score the rest of the half.

Trailing 43-39, Reese and Martin made back-to-back shots, knotting the contest with 11:45 to play. However, Brandt's team was unable to take the lead. The Bearcats hit the next shot and never let USC Aiken tie or take the lead the remainder of the contest.

The Pacers host Flagler Monday at 5:30 p.m., in the Convocation Center. It marks the first of two straight USC Aiken will play at home.