AIKEN, S.C. - A layup by No. 12-ranked USC Aiken's Mackenzie Reese with two seconds left in the game broke a 59-59 deadlock and propelled the Pacers over Anderson University women's basketball, 61-59, Friday night on the opening night of the Holley Tractor/Crescent Automotive Conference Challenge at USC Aiken's Convocation Center.

The loss extends a losing streak in season openers to six straight and the Trojans have not won a season opener since 2007. The Pacers now hold a two-game winning streak over AU in the last two seasons, after taking a 63-59 victory a season ago.

With USC Aiken shooting better than 83 percent in the opening minutes, the Pacers jumped out to a quick 13-4 lead, but the Trojans countered with 14 unanswered points to take an 18-13 edge. Anderson held a lead for the majority of the first half and junior guard Lesley Woods' 3-pointer at the 12:15 mark pushed the Trojans out to the five-point. Despite a tie at the 20-20 mark, AU held a lead for the remainder of the half and took a 29-28 lead into halftime.

With momentum in their favor, the Trojans jumped out with an 8-0 run to begin the second half, forcing an USC Aiken timeout. Junior Jasmine Franklin led the way on the run with six of AU's eight points. Franklin would eventually close the game with eight points.

Despite the early half run, the Pacers inched their way back into the contest, highlighted by a layup by Porsha Martin to give USC Aiken the lead back at 50-49. AU was able to draw the score even three times in the final four minutes, but Reese's layup after an USC Aiken timeout with two seconds left handed the Pacers the win.

Reese would eventually lead the Pacers with 18 points, while fellow starter Mariah Durian closely followed with 16. Martin and Reese teamed up with seven rebounds apiece.

For the Trojans, junior guard Sierra Simpson and sophomore Jennifer Monroe led the offense with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Simpson was also the team leader in assists with five, while Monroe recorded a team-high seven rebounds.

Woods finished with six points on two 3-pointers, while sophomore Katie Davis matched Franklin's eight points. Freshman Alexis Dillard scored six points with two rebounds in her first college game in the Black and Gold.

AU shot just under 40 percent for the game, compared to USC Aiken's 42.6 percent.
"I'm very proud of our effoert tonight," Anderson head coach Jimmy Garrity said. "We played a very good and well-coached team at their place, which lived up to its reputation of being a tough place to play. I was impressed with our team's composure and toughness. We will learn a great deal from this game and be better for it."

Anderson has a quick turnaround before it heads back onto the court as the Trojans face Peach Belt Conference in-state rival, Lander, on Saturday in the second day of the Holley Tractor/Crescent Automotive Conference Challenge. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.