Women's Basketball | November 07, 2023

WBB
Each week, USC Aiken will post notes. This week, the USC Aiken women's basketball team opens the season with the PBC/SAC Challenge in Jefferson City, Tenn. The team opens the year against Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday, Nov. 11 before playing at Carson-Newman on Sunday, Nov. 12.

She's Back! 

Pacer Nation was elated this past summer when do-it-all guard Jentri Worley stated she was returning to campus for another season. Worley was the catalyst on the team a season ago. The third-team all-PBC selection garnered 11.8 points per night and 5.0 rebounds per game a season ago. Additionally, she dished out 110 assists and registered 32 steals.

Young But Experienced 

The Pacers have just four upperclassmen on the team. This includes senior Marta Rivera, redshirt-junior Jentri Worley and juniors McKenzie Lott and newcomer Jaya Nelson. Worley has started every game since her arrival on campus while Rivera saw time in 29 games a season ago.

Youth Is Served

Head coach mark Miller's squad has been extremely young since the COVID-19 season. This year is no different. He has six freshmen on the team in addition six sophomores on the squad. Despite being young, this team is extremely talented. 

Across The Country

Head coach Mark Miller's team is talented. The team was also constructed with students from not only the United States, but also Spain. Overall, Miller has student-athletes from 11 states, including three from Ohio. Additionally, Marta Rivera transferred into USC Aiken a season ago and hails from Madrid, Spain.

NCAA Experience

Last year, the USC Aiken women's basketball team earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign. The team finished 18-12 and picked up the No. 6 seed in the NCAA Southeast Region. The squad returned numerous student-athletes, including do-it-all upperclassmen Jentri Worley and standouts Hailey Unger and Annalise Malone. 

Preseason Poll

Head coach Mark Miller's team was picked to finish third in the PBC Preseason Coaches Poll on Nov. 1. The Pacers secured 59 total points, including one first-place nod. North Georgia was picked to win the league while Columbus State was third. 

Inside The Numbers

This week, the USC Aiken women's basketball team opens the season with the PBC/SAC Challenge. The team opens the year against Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday, Nov. 11 before playing at Carson-Newman on Sunday, Nov. 12. Since moving to Division II, the Pacers are 185-187 (49.7 percent) in Saturday games and 16-12 (57.1 percent) in Sunday contests. During the same time, the program is 0-2 on Nov. 11 and 0-2 on Nov. 12. 

Against The Opponents 

This week, the USC Aiken women's basketball team opens the season with the PBC/SAC Challenge. The team opens the year against Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday, Nov. 11 before playing at Carson-Newman on Sunday, Nov. 12. The Pacers hold a 9-4 lead in the all-time series against the Bears. The squad is 4-0 against L-R in neutral-site games. The Eagles hold an 11-3 edge in the all-time series against the Pacers. USC Aiken is 1-3 at Carson-Newman.