MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Serena Baker hit two free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining as the University of South Carolina-Aiken rallied for a 64-62 Peach Belt Conference women's basketball victory over Georgia College & State University Saturday (Feb. 1) afternoon inside the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats dropped their second in a row and fell to 11-9 overall and to 4-6 in the PBC, while the Pacers collected their first conference win and improved to 4-15 and 1-8. GCSU looks to snap its losing streak with a midweek matinee against the University of North Georgia Wednesday (Feb. 5) at 5:30 p.m. in Dahlonega, Georgia.
It was all Bobcats to open the afternoon showdown, starting their performance with a quick 12-2 run fueled by three-point shots from Miracle Parker and Hannah Cail. The Pacers would answer back towards the end of the quarter, but GCSU would have a nice nine-point cushion (16-7) after the opening 10 minutes.
USC Aiken would flip the script to begin the second quarter, answering back with a 10-0 run, including two three-pointers from Baker and Molly Burns. It would take another two and a half minutes before either team scored again. Camryn James gave the Bobcats their lead back, followed by five points by Rose Bone, giving GCSU a two-point lead (25-23) at the half.
The Bobcats quickly scored seven points to begin the half, including another three-pointer by Cail, but the Pacers answered back with a 9-2 run of their own. Both teams played in this style for the remainder of the quarter, trading points with one another, and GCSU would escape the third with a two-point lead (42-40).
The final quarter would stay close, with the Bobcats maintaining a lead that sat around four points until the final four minutes. Deshona Gaither, Parker, and Cail would attempt to push the lead farther; however, the Pacers would answer back with each call. Two late fouls allow USC Aiken's Paris Webster and Kendall Parker to tie everything at 61. Baker followed two free throws to give the Pacers a 63-61 lead.
Cail and Parker, who would be perfect from the three-point line, would be the Bobcats with double-digits, collecting 16 and 10 points, respectively. Parker would also pick up nine rebounds, while Warren would lead GCSU in the category with 12. Chandler Davis would lead in assists with four.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports or subscribe to the
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