From Staff Reports

 

AIKEN, SC – The Georgia Southwestern State University women’s basketball team opened Peach Belt Conference play on Saturday, December 1, with a 78-62 loss to the University of South Carolina Aiken. GSW forced 26 turnovers, but their offense struggled to capitalize on those turnovers.

Midway through the first quarter, Morgan Towells hit a jumper to give the Lady Hurricanes a 7-6 lead. However, that was the only time GSW led in the game. The Lady Pacers took over at that point, going on a 12-2 run to end the first quarter with an 18-9 lead.

GSW was able to close their deficit to seven points when Kya Cochran knocked down a three-pointer with three minutes left in the first half. At that point, the Lady Hurricanes trailed 31-24. The Lady Pacers, however, scored five unanswered points to close out the first half.

GSW came to within three when Tamia Sapp nailed a three-pointer to cut the score to 58-55. Unfortunately for GSW, USC Aiken went on a 16-1 run before the Lady Hurricanes called a timeout with 3:35 left in the game. The Lady Pacers went on to win the game 78-62.

With the loss, GSW fell to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in the PBC. USC Aiken improved their overall record to 5-1 and 2-0 in the PBC.

The Lady Pacers shot 53.2 percent from the field, while the Lady Hurricanes shot 28.7 percent. One positive note to take from this game for GSW is that they shot 12-for-15 from the foul line (85 percent). One big factor in the game that hurt the Lady Hurricanes was that they were outrebounded 59-30 by the Lady Pacers.

Lele Young scored 10 of GSW’s 37 bench points and she had one steal. Tamecia Blue was second in scoring with eight points, followed by Cochran, who finished with seven points. Cochran also dished out a team-high five assists and had two steals.

The Lady Pacers were led in scoring by Kwajelin Farrar. Farrar had a double-double, scoring 32 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Up next for the Lady Hurricanes is a non-conference game on the road at Valdosta State on Wednesday, December 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.