AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team posted a 74-52 victory over Flagler Saturday afternoon in a PBC contest.

The Pacers are now 9-5 overall, including 3-1 in league play. The Saints fall to 3-11 on the year and 0-4 against conference foes.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Emily Trushel's game-high 18 points on six-of-11 shooting. She added eight rebounds, three steals and two assists. Hailey Unger tallied 16 points and four assists while Jentri Worley totaled 15 points and five assists to go along with five boards.

Annalise Malone and Marta Rivera added six points apiece.

USC Aiken jumped out to an 8-0 lead on Unger's bucket with 7:00 to play in the first quarter. Moments later, Marta Rivera canned a jumper for a 12-2 edge. However, the Saints pulled within one after a 13-4 run. Leading 16-15, Rivera took a pass from Worley and buried a three-point bucket. With one second to play in the first quarter, Emily Trushel was fouled. She hit both free throws for a 20-15 lead going into the second period.

Miller's team gained a double-digit lead on Worley's three-point shot at the 4:22 mark of the second stanza. Unger and Worley each hit a free throw for a 34-20 lead before Delaney Trushel found an open Worley for a lay-up. USC Aiken held a 36-25 lead at the break.

In the opening half, USC Aiken hit 15-of-32 from the floor and tallied 24 points in the paint. Sixteen of the team's 36 points came off 11 Flagler turnovers.

The Pacers broke open the game late in the third frame. Leading 48-37, Malone and Delaney Trushel hit back-to-back baskets. After a steal by Delaney Trushel, she found Unger for a lay-up. Holding a 58-39 advantage, Kelsie Woodard canned a jumper. Two free throws by Emily Trushel and a basket by Worley extended the margin to 25.

Miller's team controlled the second half and never let the Saints closer than 22 the rest of the way. USC Aiken pushed the lead to 29 when Breanna Gustave found Unger for a basket at the 7:21 mark.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 31-of-63 from the floor (49.2 percent). The squad held a 45-33 edge on the glass. The Pacers controlled the lane, outscoring the visitors 46-12. USC Aiken also scored 24 points off turnovers and had 25 points on the break.  

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