AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team registered a 62-61 win over Lander after a stellar defensive stand in the waning seconds Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 13-9 overall, including 7-5 in league play.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Emily Trushel's game-high 23 points on seven-of-11 shooting from the floor, including three-of-five from distance. She also nailed all six charity tosses. Breanna Gustave accounted for 13 points and seven boards while Jentri Worley tallied 10 points to go along with six rebounds.

Hailey Unger chipped in eight points and four assists. 

USC Aiken jumped out to a 16-8 lead with 1:12 to play in the first frame. Up 10-8, Kelsie Woodard nailed a jumper off a pass from Worley. Unger registered a steal and lay-up with 2:06 to play. Then, Unger canned another shot from the floor for the eight-point advantage.

Worley opened the second frame with a shot from downtown off a pass from Marta Rivera. Then, Unger's field goal made it a 13-point edge, 21-8. Up by the same margin, 28-20, Emily Trushel stole the ball and converted it into a field goal for a 30-20 lead. Rivera's jumper and two Emily Trushel free throws made it a 34-20 game at the break.

After the Bearcats pulled within eight at the end of the third quarter, Miller's team saw the visitors continue to cut into the deficit. Leading 51-48, Emily Trushel took a pass from Unger and nailed a shot from behind the three-point stripe. However, Lander would continue to creep closer. 

Up 60-57, the visitors pulled within one with 1:56 to go. However, Worley was fouled with 1:44 on the clock and calmly made two free throws. 

Lander made it a 62-61 game with 50 seconds to play. After a shot clock violation, Lander got the ball back. Miller's team played outstanding defense and forced a turnaround jumper at the buzzer that missed, sealing the victory. 

For the game, USC Aiken hit 21-of-57 from the floor (36.8 percent). The squad buried 15-of-16 from the charity stripe (93.8 percent). USC Aiken recorded 17 points off turnovers and the 12 offensive rebounds led to eight second-chance points.

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