AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a 73-67 decision to Lander Wednesday evening in a Peach Belt Conference contest.

The Pacers are now 11-9 overall, including 7-4 mark against league teams. The Bearcats improve to 12-5 overall, including a 6-3 record against conference foes.

USC Aiken was paced by Carly Gilreath's team-best 17 points. Kwajelin Farrar registered 14 points to go along with nine boards. Rachelle Aupont contributed 13 markers and eight rebounds while Kate Duff chipped in 10 points.

Jasmine Coach garnered eight points, but snagged a game-best 12 rebounds.

USC Aiken got off to a solid start, leading 7-3 off a three-ball from Gilreath. However, the Bearcats knotted the score at 9-9. After trading baskets, Aupont buried a deep three off a pass from Gilreath for a 14-11 margin. A pair of free throws made it 16-13 heading into the second quarter.

Head coach Mark Miller's team jumped out to an 11-point lead at 27-16. Leading by seven, Kate Duff nailed a jumper. With 4:42 to play in the half, Farrar took a pass from Gilreath and calmly hit a mid-range jumper.

The lead was trimmed to four with 1:57 to go, but Duff found Gilreath for a three-point shot to close out the half. Heading into the second half, Miller's team maintained a 32-25 advantage.

USC Aiken pushed its advantage to eight on a free throw with 8:05 to go in the third frame. However, Lander sliced the margin to one at 43-42. The Pacers managed to make it a 43-39 score on a lay-up by Duff, but the teams went into the four quarter tied at 47 apiece.

In a high-scoring fourth quarter, USC Aiken fell behind 58-52 in the opening minutes of the period, but continued to fight hard. Miller's team stayed within single digits, including cutting the deficit to four on a three-point bucket with three seconds to go. Lander managed to hit a pair of free throws to close out the scoring.

The Pacers connected on 25-of-58 from the floor for the game (43.1 percent). The squad buried seven-of-20 from the three-point stripe (35 percent). USC Aiken hit 10-of-13 from the foul line (76.9 percent).

The Pacers out-rebounded the visitors 41-34. USC Aiken controlled the paint, outscoring the Bearcats 32-20.

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Flagler. Tip-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.