AIKEN, SC – The University of South Carolina Aiken women's basketball team recorded a 68-63 win over the Clayton State Lakers Saturday afternoon in front of a lively crowd in the Convocation Center for Homecoming.
 
The Pacers are now 5-21 on the season and 1-15 in PBC play.
 
Head coach Mark Miller's squad was led by Jentri Worley's career-high tying 25 points, along with five rebounds, and four assists. She broke the USC Aiken Division II school record for free-throws made in a game with 19. Annalise Malone added 10 points and six rebounds. Rhiannon Saller, Marta Rivera, and Sami Bardonaro each contributed eight points. 
 
The first quarter consisted of two runs for each team, including an 8-2 lead for the Pacers to begin the game. Bardonaro led the team with five first-quarter points, but the team found themselves down 24-14 to close the first period.
 
The squad outscored the Lakers 20-7 in the second period behind Worley's 13 points and outstanding defense from the team collectively. The quarter ties the seventh-lowest points allowed in the second quarter in Pacer women's hoops since quarters were introduced in the 2016-17 season. Miller's team took advantage of their opportunities at the line, converting on 12-15 (80 percent) of free throw attempts in the second quarter.
 
The Pacers continued playing sound defense, allowing only five points and creating their largest lead of the game up to that point with 4:44 to play in the third. The Lakers ended up outscoring the Pacers 14-13 in the third period to bring the game within two. 
 
Miller's squad saw their first deficit of the second half with 9:06 to play. The team took the lead back with 2:07 to play. The Lakers tied the game with two free throws, but Bardonaro wiped the deficit with a three-point bucket. Worley iced the game connecting on four free throw attempts. 
 
Miller's team finished the game shooting 19-59 (32.2 percent) from the floor and 23-29 (79.3 percent) from the charity stripe. The team collected four blocks and nine steals. 
 
The Pacers will hit the road for their next contest against North Georgia Wednesday evening at 5:30. Live stats and video will be available on PacerSports.com.