AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team lost a 65-35 decision to Columbus State Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 8-17 overall, including 4-13 in league play. The Cougars improve to 15-12 on the year and 8-9 against conference competition.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Emily Trushel's team-high eight points. She also snagged nine rebounds in 26 minutes of work. Delaney Trushel added six points and three assists. Yasmine Fairchild, Allycia Harris and Chidinma Okafor tallied four points apiece. Okafor swatted a game-best three shots in the contest. 

Mackenzie Cochrane, Grace Crawford and Madison Williams netted three points apiece. Cochrane pulled down six rebounds and Harris snagged five rebounds.    

After trailing 14-5 after the first quarter, USC Aiken fell behind 21-8. Delaney Trushel hit a jumper and Cochrane buried a free throw, making it a 10-point game. Down 23-12, Emily Trushel took a pass from Harris and nailed a shot. With under a minute to play, Harris took a pass from Emily Trushel and connected, making it a seven-point game at the break. 

USC Aiken continued to push hard, but the team was unable to cut into the deficit in the second half. 

For the game, Miller's team hit 12-of-49 from the floor (24.5 percent), including three-of-12 from downtown (25.0 percent). The squad was solid on the glass, pulling down 42 rebounds, including 13 on the offensive end of the court. 

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at No. 11 North Georgia at 1:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.