YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a 61-44 contest at Young Harris Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 8-16 overall and 4-12 in PBC play. The Mountain Lions are 13-13 overall and 5-12 against league foes.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Chidinma Okafor's 17 point, eight-rebound, four-block effort. Delaney Trushel added 14 points and two boards. Emily Trushel posted 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Sarah Perez and Madison Williams had three rebounds apiece.

Down 2-0, Okafor netted back-to-back free throws. Delaney Trushel took a pass from Allycia Harris and quickly drained a three-point bucket for a 5-2 edge at the 7:47 mark of the first quarter. The Mountain Lions finished the frame on a 5-0 run for a 7-5 margin going into the second frame.

Trailing 16-10 in the second quarter, Williams hit a free throw. Grace Crawford found Delaney Trushel for a jumper, making it 16-13. The Pacers trialed 20-17 but Emily Trushel connected on two free throws, trimming the deficit to one with 1:47 to go in the quarter. With 19 ticks remaining, Delaney Trushel nailed a three-ball, making it a 24-22 game at the break.

USC Aiken trailed 34-25 but Okafor hit both charity tosses. A lay-up from Emily Trushel sliced the deficit to five, 34-29, with 3:33 to go in the third quarter. YHC held a 38-31 advantage going into the final frame.

After the Mountain Lions hit a three-point shot to start the fourth, Emily Trushel cut the deficit to eight with 9:10 to play. However, that was as close as the Pacers would get the rest of the way.  

For the game, USC Aiken hit 13-of-42 from the floor (31.0 percent). Miller's team got to the free throw line 23 times, hitting 15 (65.2 percent). The Pacers distributed 10 assists and registered four blocks in the game.

The Pacers return to action Wednesday when they host Columbus State at 5:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.