COLUMBUS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken pushed North Georgia until the final buzzer, but the Pacers were unable to hold onto a late lead, falling 77-68, to the Nighthawks in the Peach Belt Conference quarterfinals.

The Pacers conclude the 2013-14 season with an 11-18 mark.

Mariah Durian paced head coach Mike Brandt's team, pouring in a season-high 27 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the floor, including a three-of-six effort from downtown. Her game-high was just two points off her career high.

Courtney Mealing added 11 markers while Porsha Martin and Mackenzie Reese added 10 apiece. Kate Duff came off the bench to hit for five points.

For the game, USC Aiken connected on 40.6 percent of its shots from the floor (26-of-64), but hit just five-of-18 (27.8 percent) from downtown. The team hit 11-of-17 (64.7 percent) from the charity stripe.

The Pacers were out-rebounded 42-32, but managed to distribute 13 assists on the 26 baskets. The team also added eight steals, including a game-best three by Reese. Duff had the squad's lone block of the contest.

USC Aiken jumped out to a 10-2 lead just 3:10 into the game. Durian got things going with a jumper. After a bucket by North Georgia, Martin connected on an inside shot before Durian and Mealing hit back-to-back three-pointers.

Although the Nighthawks took a 20-19 lead, Brandt's team battled back, earning a 42-36 score at halftime thanks in part to an 8-0 run over the final 1:30. During the spurt, Martin hit a pair of free throws, Reese and Durian buried jumpers and Martin hit a lay-up at the buzzer.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair, but Brandt's squad found itself trailing 55-50 with 10 minutes to play.

The Pacers' defense stepped up as the offense kicked into gear. Durian connected for a basket while Mealing drained a shot, pulling the team within one at 55-54. USC Aiken tied it at 58, but the team could not take the lead until Durian came off a screen, took the ball and weaved to the basket for a 62-61 advantage. Although she was fouled on the play, she could not convert the old-fashioned three-point play.

North Georgia made two free throws with 3:24 to play for a 63-62 edge. The charity shots sparked the 16-6 run to end the game.

The contest marked the last of Porsha Martin's outstanding career.

Postgame press conference