AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a hard fought 60-54 contest to UNC Pembroke Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 3-13 overall and 0-10 in league play.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Kyrie' Chandler's 13 points and three steals. Melyk Taouil added 11 markers , nine boards and five steals in 36 minutes of work. Lonesha Lee and Star Toomey added solid games. Lee garnered eight points and nine rebounds while Toomey posted eight points and seven boards.

After trailing 14-4 in the early going, USC Aiken managed to trim the deficit to four points with 7:06 to play in the second stanza at 16-12. During the 8-2 run, Emily Waters hit a couple of free throws and assisted on a three-ball from Chandler. Then, Marissa Bruce found Lee for a three-point bucket. However, the visitors closed the first half on a 12-2 spurt for a 28-14 halftime edge.

USC Aiken put together an outstanding second half. Taouil's lay-up made it an eight-point contest at 28-20.

The Braves increased the lead to double figures, but Miller's team continued to battle back. After a rebound by Lee with 7:51 left in the contest, Sade Johnson found Taouil for a jumper, making it 45-37.

Down by nine, Lee drained a three-ball and Taouil converted a twisting lay-up, pulling the team within four at 48-44. UNCP pushed the margin to nine, but USC Aiken played well. Chandler's three-pointer made it 58-54, but the Braves hit a pair of free throws for the final tally.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 18-of-59 from the floor (30.5 percent), including six-of-25 from downtown (24 percent). The squad made just 12-of-21 from the charity stripe (57.1 percent).

The Pacers held a 21-15 edge in points off turnovers. The squad maintained a 22-20 margin in the paint and a nine-to-six lead in fast break points.   

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they travel to Lander for a 1:30 p.m., start. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.