No. 23 USC Aiken Clips Lady Pirates, 60-56

AIKEN, S.C. - No. 23-ranked USC Aiken held off a late surge from visiting Armstrong Atlantic State, picking up a 60-56 Peach Belt Conference women's basketball victory on Saturday evening in Aiken, S.C.

The Lady Pacers (16-5, 8-3 PBC) avenged an earlier-season defeat in Savannah to the Lady Pirates (11-7, 6-5 PBC), back when USC Aiken was ranked No. 7 in the nation. The loss is AASU's fifth in its last six games, while USC Aiken has won three of its last four.

AASU opened up the game on fire from three-point range, hitting four of its first five shots from beyond the arc en route to a 20-11 lead midway through the first half. The Lady Pacers, however, closed the half on a 15-4 run to take a three-point lead at halftime, 34-31.

Twice in the second half, the Lady Pirates cut the USC Aiken lead to one, the latest coming on a Kelly Versluis free throw with 33 seconds remaining, making the score 57-56. Versluis missed the second free throw, forcing the Lady Pirates to foul after USC Aiken grabbed the rebound. USCA's Kendra Chandler made one of two free throws, making the lead two, but the Lady Pirates turned the ball over in the last 10 seconds, and Morgan Johnson's two free throws with six seconds left sealed the win.

The free throws capped a career high-tying night for Johnson, who hit 8-of-10 shots from the floor and 7-of-9 free throws for a game-high 23 points, to go along with 11 rebounds. Chandler added 10 for USC Aiken.

The Lady Pirates were led by Lindsey Holmes' 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Versluis and Lacey Willis each added 11 points, while Dartayvia Thomas contributed nine points and nine rebounds.

AASU returns to action on Monday, February 2, facing its second straight nationally-ranked team when No. 19 Francis Marion visits Alumni Arena for a 5:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference contest.