Box Score CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team registered a 64-61 overtime victory at Johnson C. Smith Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.
The Pacers improve to 5-4 on the season.
Mariah Durian led everyone with a season-high 16 points on five-of-eight shooting from the floor, including a two-for-four performance from downtown. For good measure, Durian snagged seven rebounds and dished out a pair of assists.
Rachelle Aupont and Kassy Johannsen each posted double-double efforts. Aupont garnered 11 points and 11 rebounds to go along with a game-high six assists. She also stole four passes. Johannsen totaled 10 points and 10 boards. Alexis Ware canned five three-point buckets and garnered a pair of rebounds.
Stephanie Ball chipped in eight markers and four assists while Jasmine Coach pulled down five boards. Katelyn Grisillo dished out three assists while hitting her only field goal attempt in the win.
After leading at the break, USC Aiken fell behind in the third quarter and trailed by three entering the fourth frame.
Head coach Mike Brandt's team raced out to a lead in the fourth quarter, embarking on a 7-0 run to start the period, taking a 53-49 lead on Johannsen's jumper with 7:18 to play. However, that marked the last field goal the team would hit in the stanza.
Although JCSU pulled within one on a three-pointer, Ball hit the second of two free throw attempts with 4:13 to play, pushing the team's lead back to two at 54-52. Aupont hit a pair of charity tosses with 3:41 to play, making it a four-point contest. The Golden Bulls would tally the next four points, forcing an overtime session after the Pacers missed a three-point attempt with 12 seconds to play.
In the extra period, neither team could get on the board the first two minutes. It was not until Coach grabbed a defensive rebound and was fouled did USC Aiken add to its point total.
With 2:14 to play, Coach made it a 57-56 contest. However, JCSU countered with a three-point basket with 1:55 to go for a two-point edge.
Johannsen tied the game at 59 apiece on a lay-up with 62 seconds on the clock. Aupont added a pair of free throws with 40 seconds to play. After Ball was fouled with 24 seconds to go, she hit the second free throw for a 62-59 advantage.
The Golden Bulls sliced the deficit to one with 22 seconds to go, but Aupont was fouled with 13 seconds on the clock and calmly drained both free throws for a 64-61 lead. The USC Aiken defense forced a missed three-point shot at the buzzer, solidifying Brandt's 250th victory at USC Aiken.
The Pacers return to action Dec. 16 when they play at Georgia College at 10:30 a.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.
