AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken's women's basketball team had a 61-53 victory over Flagler Monday evening in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 7-6 overall and improve to 3-1 against conference foes. The Saints are now 2-8 overall, including an 0-4 effort against league competition.

Leading the way for USC Aiken was Kassy Johannsen, who poured in a career and game-high 18 points. Mackenzie Reese and Emry Tsitouris each recorded identical double-double efforts with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Reese added a game-high five assists and three steals.

Head coach Mike Brandt's team fell behind 12-6 with 15:29 to play, but the squad tied the contest by netting six straight points, including four by Tsitouris.

After the teams traded the next eight points, Jasmine Coach tallied a jumper in the lane and Reese converted a lay-up for a 20-16 edge. The Pacers extended the margin to six with 5:38 on the clock when Johannsen took a backdoor pass from Emily O'Rourke and calmly sank the shot.

The Saints battled back, making it a two-point game with just 1:07 to go, but Reese's jumper with 34 seconds to play allowed the home team to take a four-point lead heading into intermission.

The Pacers jumped out to a 33-25 lead just 1:20 into the period when Reese converted a lay-up. However, the Saints battled back, tying the game at 33. Brandt's team responded with five straight points, coming on a bucket from Reese and a 3-pointer by Alexis Ware.

USC Aiken stretched its lead to 10 at 47-37, as Tsitouris hit a pair of free throws and Reese netted four straight points with just 9:06 to play. Over time, the Saints whittled away the lead until it was just a 50-48 contest at the 4:04 mark.

Johannsen and Reese hit back-to-back lay-ups for a six-point edge and with 2:20 to play, Johannsen buried a deep jumper, essentially putting the game away.

Flagler pulled within six at the 1:57 mark, but Tsitouris made a lay-up and a pair of free throws for a nine-point edge with just 27 seconds remaining in the contest.

For the game, USC Aiken controlled the paint, outscoring the visitors 38-20. The team also held a 12-2 advantage in fast-break points.

The Pacers return to action on Wednesday at UNC Pembroke. The game is slated to tip at 5:30 pm.