AIKEN, S.C. – The USCA women's basketball team lost an 83-58 contest to Francis Marion Thursday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 3-7 on the season while the Patriots stand at 8-1.

Head coach Mark Miller's team was led by an 11-point, six-rebound effort from Riley Simmons. Paris Webster added eight points while Kendall Parker and Rhiannon Saller notched seven points apiece. Serena Baker tallied six points as did Sami Bardonaro and Gracie Huffard. Baker and Saller grabbed six boards apiece.

Down 14-2, Bardonaro drilled a jumper in the lane. A three-ball from Simmons at the 4:10 mark made it 14-7. The Patriots managed to take a 24-11 lead before Jaya Nelson connected on a shot in the lane with 1:18 to go.

FMU stretched the advantage to 15 before Parker canned two charity tosses. Moments later, Parker drilled a three-point shot, pulling USCA within 11 at 30-19. The Patriots maintained a 42-25 lead at the break.

The visitors pushed the margin to 24 late in the third frame, but Molly Burns drilled a pair of free throws as did Morgan McDermott. However, the visitors held a 65-43 advantage going into the fourth quarter.

A quick 5-0 spurt by the Pacers made it 68-48 after Saller and Simmons each hit baskets. USCA closed the gap to 19 twice in the final frame but could not get any closer the rest of the way.

For the game, USCA hit 20-of-52 (38.5 percent) from the floor, including four-of-20 (20.0 percent) from the three-point stripe. Miller's team was effective at the line, canning 14-of-16 (87.5 percent). The home team managed to get 26 points off the bench.

The Pacers return to action Saturday when they play at Belmont Abbey at 2 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.