BEAUFORT, S.C. – The USCA women's basketball team lost an 83-59 decision at USC Beaufort Saturday afternoon.

The Pacers are now 6-13 on the season, including 3-8 in PBC play.

Head coach Brittany Batts' squad was led by Monique Emelifeonwu's 17-point, seven-rebound effort. She also added two blocks. Mackenna Nix and Makaylei Snyder tallied nine points apiece. Zenia Palaska notched seven points and five boards while Morgan McDermott tallied five points.

Olivia Ellis scored four points as did Ioanna Stefanaki. Nika Kurdija and Mahkayla Premo had two points apiece. Destiny Harman accounted for three rebounds and two assists while Megan Jacoby had one assist.

Emelifeonwu's sixth point of the game gave USCA a 6-4 lead just 1:28 into the contest. Two free throws by Emelifeonwu knotted it at 8-8. Down 14-13, Harman found McDermott for a three-ball at the 4:39 mark. Premo's lay-up just before the end of the quarter pulled the team within three, 18-15.

Facing a 21-15 deficit, Nix started a run by the Pacers with a lay-up. Kurdija and Nix hit shots before Stefanaki's lay-up ended the 8-0 spurt while pushing USCA to a 23-21 advantage. Snyder stopped a 9-0 spurt by the Sand Sharks with a three-point bucket at the 2:38 mark. However, USCB led 33-26 at the break.

The Sand Sharks led 50-29 near the midway point of the third quarter. Down 56-34, Palaska hit a lay-up. She found Stefanaki for an inside shot. Harman connected with Snyder for an old-fashioned three-point play, trimming the deficit to 56-41. A jumper by Snyder just before the buzzer made it 57-44 entering the final frame.

USCB went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth before McDermott's jumper stopped the spurt. However, the team was unable to get any closer the rest of the way.

For the game, USCA hit 22-of-62 from the floor. The squad connected on three shots from distance and made 12-of-17 charity shots. Batts' team pulled down 29 rebounds, including 12 on the offensive glass. The Pacers dished out seven assists and had three blocks. USCA recorded seven steals, had nine points off turnovers and netted 36 points in the paint.

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