AIKEN, S.C. - The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a 60-49 contest to Columbus State Monday evening in a Peach Belt Conference match-up.

The Pacers are now 6-18 overall and 3-15 in league play. The Cougars improve to 14-8 overall and 12-6 against conference foes.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Melyk Taouil's 12 points. Phenicia Howard added 11 points while Star Toomey contributed a game-high 15 rebounds to go along with a career-high six blocks.

The Pacers jumped out to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter. With a 1:39 left, Taouil nailed a three-pointer, followed by Marissa Bruce's made jumper, giving the Pacers a 10-point advantage.

The visitors went on a 29-7 run in the second quarter but Miller's squad battled back. Down 38-27, Howard buried a three-pointer. Taouil and Kyrie' Chandler also added three-pointers in the quarter.

USC Aiken trailed by 12 in the fourth quarter but the battle continued as Taouil hit another three-pointer with 2:52 remaining and added two more points from the charity stripe. Howard also added two markers via free throws.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 15-of-65 from the floor (23 percent), including a 7-of-27 effort from beyond the three-point line (25 percent). Miller's team hit 12-18 from the charity stripe (66 percent).

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they travel to UNC Pembroke at for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.

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