AIKEN - The Newberry women's basketball team dropped their third straight tonight, 70-59, at the hands of USC Aiken. The Lacy Pacers used double-digit scoring from three players to outlast the Lady Indians in a physical game. With the loss, Newberry drops to 0-3 overall while USC Aiken improves to 2-2. The Lady Indians were led by sophomore guard Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) with 13 points.
Play was very even at the beginning of the game, highlighted by a dominant performance by Newberry forward Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.). Frasier posted two early buckets and got herself to the free throw line six times before two quick fouls sidelined her. After several ties, Newberry grabbed a 24-23 lead with 7:28 left in the half following two back-to-back treys by sophomore Chance Stewart (Rougemont, N.C.). However, the Lacy Pacers were able to rally with a 16-9 run to cap the half, giving them a 39-33 advantage at the break.
Wright led Newberry in the first with 10 points and Stewart chipped in six off the bench. Frasier added five in just four minutes of action. USC Aiken was led by freshman Megan Starnes' (Riley, Kan.) 10 bench points, while guard Avonte Williams (Stone Mountain, Ga.) put up nine and dished three assists. Satu Leppanen (Espoo, Finland) and Mindy Allee (Clayton, Wis.) added six apiece. The Lady Indians shot a dismal 7-14 from the charity stripe in the opening half, while USC Aiken capitalized by making 83% (10-12) of their foul shots.
Newberry came out firing in the second half and pulled to within one at 39-38 after a speedy 5-0 run. Frasier once again showed her prowess in the lane as she found her way to the foul line six more times in the second half. The Lady Pacers answered back compliments of sound three-point shooting from guard Meredith Legg (Huntersville, N.C.). Legg hit two consecutive threes giving USC Aiken a six-point lead at 47-41 with 13:48 left. The Lady Indians cut the lead to four twice, but couldn't get any closer. Despite hitting zero field goals in the last five minute of play, the Lady Pacers tacked on their final 10 points from the free throw line. Newberry narrowed the lead to six with 3:58 to play after a Cortney Snowden (Augusta, Ga.) jumper, but USC Aiken made just enough charity shots to end the game.
On the game, the Lady Pacers shot 70% from the line, while Newberry shot just 54.8%. Newberry was led by Wright's 13, while Frasier ended up with 10 points and nine rebounds. Stewart and guard Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.) both added nine each and forward Tygress Hope (Hephzibah, Ga.) contributed six. Senior Tonya Deese (Newberry, S.C.) tallied nine boards along with four points. USC Aiken was led by Williams with 12 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. Starnes ended up with 11 and Legg recorded 10, including eight second-half points. Leppanen and Allee added nine each, Allee also dishing five dimes.
Newberry stays on the road as they travel to USC Upstate on November 26 for a 2 p.m. game. The Lady Pacers are scheduled for their first road game of the season as they are set to take on Catawba College at the Catawba Classic. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. on November 25.
