AIKEN, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team nearly overcame a 17-point second half deficit but dropped an 85-80 contest to Flagler Wednesday evening.

The Pacers are now 4-9 on the season, including 0-3 in league play.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by Hailey Unger's 21 points. Annalise Malone secured a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Sami Bardonaro had 11 markers while Jentri Worley and Paris Webster added 10 points apiece. Worley also pulled down eight rebounds. Marta Rivera accounted for eight boards.

In the first period, Unger's three-point shot gave the home team a 9-6 edge. Leading 11-10, Webster drilled a shot in the lane for a three-point margin. Moments later, Unger's three-point bucket extended the lead to 16-12. Flagler took the lead at 17-16 but Malone answered with a lay-up. Bardonaro's shot from downtown off a pass from Worley made it 21-17 at the end of the first frame.

The Saints scored 15 consecutive points for a 32-21 advantage but Unger stopped the streak with another shot from distance. Flagler held a 40-27 edge but Unger knocked down a 17-foot jumper. Bardonaro's shot hit the bottom of the net, slicing the margin to 40-32. With just 17 seconds remaining, Unger's jumper cut the margin to six, 43-37, at halftime.

Miller's team trailed by 14, 55-41, with 7:25 left in the third quarter but his team trimmed the margin to nine, 57-48, after the second foul shot by Alivia Hikel. The Pacers made it a 65-57 game when Malone hit both free throws with 45 ticks remaining in the stanza.

USC Aiken trailed 81-64 with 2:36 to play but Bardonaro started the comeback bid with a three-ball. Worley hit two free throws as did Malone, pulling the team within 10 at 81-71 with 1:36 to play. Two more charity tosses by Worley and a jumper by Jaya Nelson made it 81-75 with 29 ticks remaining.

Down 83-76, Worley drained a three-point shot with six seconds to play. Forced to foul, the Saints hit two free throws with four seconds to go, securing the win.

For the game, USC Aiken hit 26-of-74 (35.1 percent) from the field. The team drained eight three-point shots. The squad got to the line 23 times and hit 20 attempts. The Pacers snagged 45 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass.

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