Box Score
Aiken, S.C.----The USC Aiken women’s basketball team survived a furious second half rally to take a 75-71 victory over Wingate University Monday night at the Convocation Center on the USCA campus. The Pacers improve to 4-1 overall, while the visiting Bulldogs fall to 4-2 overall.
Sophomore center Hannah DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, N.C.) led the home-standing Pacers with 19 points. USC Aiken senior forward Catherine Cain (Dayton, Ohio) had 18 points, while sophomore forward Lindsay Sundberg (Mansfield, Conn.) contributed 11 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Wingate junior guard CC Brooks (Mt. Holly, N.C.) led all scorers with a season-high 20 points. Bulldog sophomore guard/forward Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had 15 points, while senior center Stacie Rhodes (Knightdale, N.C.) and junior forward Stefani Shuey (Charlotte, N.C.) added 10 points each.
The Pacers jumped out to a 10-2 lead only 2:29 into the game on a three-point basket from Cain. The Bulldogs would close the gap to 10-8 at the 16:06 mark. Four minutes later, a Sundberg three-pointer fueled an on-going Pacer run that gave USC Aiken a 21-8 lead with 7:33 left to play in the first half.
Two free throws from freshman guard Brittany Bowen (Ellicott City, Md.) gave the Pacers their largest lead of the half at 39-23 with 4:48 left in the first stanza. USC Aiken connected on 17-of-20 free-throw attempts, 13-of-27 field goals and 5-of-13 three-pointers in the opening frame. USC Aiken never trailed over the opening 20 minutes, taking a 48-35 lead into the locker room at halftime fueled by Cain’s 11 points.
The Bulldogs nibbled away at the Pacer advantage over the opening 12 minutes of the second half. Their efforts were punctuated by a three-pointer from senior guard Sarah Rosser (Raleigh, N.C.) at the 8:24 mark, cutting the Pacer lead to two at 58-56.
Wingate pulled even with seven minutes left in regulation on a free throw from Shuey, tying the game at 60-60. Two more free throws from Shuey gave Wingate a 65-63 advantage with 5:21 left in the second half. The charity tosses capped a 21-5 flurry by the visiting Bulldogs.
The Pacers grabbed control of the lead as Cain drained a three-pointer from the left wing to put USC Aiken up for good 66-65 with 3:29 left in the game. Brooks connected on a lay-up with 52 seconds left that cut the Pacer lead to 72-71.
A missed USC Aiken field goal gave Wingate the ball back with 23 seconds left, allowing the Bulldogs to hold for the final shot. Washington penetrated the lane with 10 seconds left on the clock, but Degraffinreed drew a charge. The play gave USC Aiken possession and the opportunity put the game away at the free-throw line.
Pacer junior guard Nakia Pinkney (Orangeburg, S.C.) stepped to the line and drained the first free throw. Her second attempt got stuck between the backboard and the rim. The deadball rebound was awarded to the Pacers by virtue of the possession arrow. Two more free throws from DeGraffinreed would seal the opening night win for USC Aiken.
Wingate opens South Atlantic Conference play Friday, hosting Newberry College for a 6 p.m. contest. USC Aiken starts Peach Belt Conference action Wednesday, traveling to Francis Marion University for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
(A special thanks to the USC Aiken Sports Information office for providing this article.)
