WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost an 81-69 contest at Winston-Salem State Saturday afternoon in a non-conference contest.

The Pacers are now 5-3 on the year while the Rams are 3-5.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Kwajelin Farrar's team-best 25 points and game-high 14 rebounds. Kyrie' Chandler accounted for 18 markers and two steals.

Madeline Sexton chipped in seven points and eight boards while Alex Canady and Grace Crawford chipped in six markers apiece.

After trailing by four heading into the second stanza, Melyk Taouil pulled the Pacers within two on a lay-up at the 9:09 mark. Farrar knotted the contest at 17-17 less than a minute later on a lay-up.

Down 25-18 with 3:43 to go in the half, Chandler connected on a lay-up off a pass from Taouil. Farrar hit a runner in the paint before Crawford nailed a shot from downtown, tying the game at 25-25 with 2:02 to play in the first half. Farrar's lay-up on a break off a pass from Sexton completed the 9-0 run by the visitors for a 27-25 lead. However, a three-ball just prior to the buzzer gave the home squad a 28-27 advantage at the break.

Chandler opened the scoring in the second half on a three-ball and Farrar's bucket pushed the score to 32-28 in favor of the Pacers. Moments later, Canady's three-ball made it 40-32. The teams traded baskets for the next couple of minutes, but the Rams managed to cut the deficit to three at 52-49 heading into the fourth quarter.

Sexton's lay-up gave the Pacers a 56-51 lead with 9:23 to play. However, WSSU was able to gain the lead for good with a shot at the 6:55 mark. USC Aiken stayed within four with less than 90 seconds to go, but the home squad hit its foul shots down the stretch to hold on for the win.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 27-of-62 from the floor (43.5 percent). Miller's squad out-rebounded the home team 47-33, which resulted in 25 second-chance points for the visitors compared to 16 by the Rams.

The Pacers return to action Dec. 17 when they play at Clayton State at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.