GREENWOOD, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team notched a 67-60 victory at Lander Wednesday evening in a PBC contest.

The Pacers are now 8-5 on the season, including 2-1 in league play. The Bearcats drop to 3-8 overall and 0-2 in the PBC.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Jentri Worley's 19 points and five assists. Annalise Malone poured in 18 points while Emily Trushel totaled 15 points and seven rebounds. Madison Williams led the defense with a game-high three steals.

Delaney Trushel hit a pair of shots in the early going, giving the visitors a 6-2 lead. Trailing 9-8, Worley buried a pair of free throws for one-point edge. USC Aiken fell behind 13-11 before Emily Trushel knotted the contest with 1:58 to go in the first quarter. Hailey Unger's lay-up propelled the Pacers to a 15-13 lead going into the second frame.

Malone connected on two shots from the floor in the second period, giving Miller's squad a 21-17 advantage. Up 21-19, Breanna Gustave found Emily Trushel for a lay-up. A foul by the Bearcats and the ensuing free throw pushed the margin to five, 24-19. Worley found Emily Trushel and Breanna Gustave for baskets, helping USC Aiken take a 28-19 lead before Lander rattled off the final four points of the half.

Back-to-back baskets by USC Aiken extended the lead to nine, 32-23, at the 9:26 mark of the third quarter. However, a 9-0 run by Lander knotted the score until Worley hit a free throw and buried a three-point shot. Tied at 40-40, Gustave connected with Malone for a lay-up, giving the Pacers a 42-40 lead heading into the final period.

Worley netted the first four points of the fourth quarter for a 46-40 lead. Up by four, Worley dished a pass to Emily Trushel for a lay-up with 8:11 to play.

Moments later, the Bearcats embarked on an 8-0 run for a 56-55 lead. However, Miller's team bounced back just 19 seconds later when Worley hit an inside shot. Gustave nailed a shot for a 59-56 margin with 1:18 to go.

Leading 59-58, Worley found Malone for a lay-up with 21 ticks on the clock. Two seconds later, Worley hit two charity tosses for a 63-58 lead. Two more free throws by Emily Trushel gave the visitors a seven-point cushion with 16 seconds to play. The Pacers were up 65-60 and the Bearcats had to foul once again. Emily Trushel nailed two more charity tosses for the final tally.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 26-of-61 from the floor (42.6 percent). The squad also connected on 13-of-18 from the foul line (72.2 percent). Miller's team grabbed 33 rebounds and held the lead for nearly 34 minutes. The Pacers forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 19 points. USC Aiken held a 40-28 edge in the paint.   

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they host Flagler at 1:30 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.