COCHRAN, Ga. – The USCA women's basketball team lost a 68-60 contest at Middle Georgia State University Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 1-6 on the season, including 0-2 in PBC play. The Knights stand at 6-1 overall, including 1-1 against conference foes.

Head coach Brittany Batts' team was led by Mackenna Nix's 21-point, seven-rebound effort. Monique Emelifeonwu added 12 points and seven boards while Morgan McDermott had 10 points and two steals. Riley Miller contributed nine points and six rebounds. Zenia Palaska netted two points and had three rebounds. Ioanna Stefanaki had two points, four rebounds and two assists while Makaylei Snyder added two points.

Down 8-4 in the early going, Snyder found Nix for a three-point bucket at the 6:56 mark. Trailing 10-7, Nix hit two free throws before McDermott buried a three-ball off a pass from Stefanaki. Tied at 12-12, McDermott started a run for USCA with a free throw. Stefanaki hit a jumper before Palaska connected on a field goal. A charity toss by McDermott pushed the lead to six, 18-12.

Holding a 21-20 edge, McDermott found Nix for a lay-up. Nix continued her stellar half with a jumper at the 8:16 mark. McDermott's lay-up off a sensational pass from Stefanaki pushed the margin to 28-23. Up 30-27, Snyder and Miller hit two free throws apiece. A late charity toss by Nix made it a 35-29 contest at the break.

Down 46-40, Miller connected on a three-point bucket off a pass from Snyder. Palaska hit a free throw, but the Knights maintained a 51-45 advantage entering the final period.

USCA pulled within five after an old-fashioned three-point play by Emelifeonwu, making it 53-49. Another three-point play from Emelifeonwu at the 6:55 mark cut the deficit to four. Emelifeonwu connected on a pair of jumpers, slicing the margin to three, 58-55, with 3:54 to play. Down 61-57 after a pair of Nix free throws, the home team scored seven points in a 35-second span for an 11-point cushion.  

For the game, USCA hit 17-of-52 from the floor. The team canned four three-point shots and made 22-of-29 from the charity stripe. Batts' team pulled down 32 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass. The squad forced 24 turnovers and scored 16 points off the miscues.

The Pacers return to action Tuesday when they host Francis Marion at 12 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at PacerSports.com.