By Brackin Lambert
uscbathletics.com
BLUFFTON — It took an extra five minutes of game time and a comeback from down five midway through the overtime period, but USCB women’s basketball picked up its first Peach Belt Conference victory over rival USC Aiken, 75-73, on Wednesday night in front of a packed house at The Cove.
“I’m so proud,” Coach Sharon Versyp said. “The amount of resilience this team had, going into overtime, being down by five, and being able to come back. They’ve just worked so hard. They stepped up and this is going to build our confidence moving forward.”
Four Sand Sharks posted double-figure scoring efforts, led by Mahkayla Premo’s 18 points and seven rebounds. Janiyah Heyward was one rebound shy of a double-double, as she scored 17 points with nine boards, while Taniyah Bowman continued her strong play with 11 points and Madison Self had her best game of the season, adding 10 points and adding six rebounds.
The Pacers led 37-35 at halftime, but Beaufort opened the second half on a 6-0 run thanks to Self’s 3-pointer and Heyward’s drive to the basket. Premo’s scored with 2:37 to go made it an eight-point game, but USC Aiken continued fighting back and was down two heading into the final quarter.
A Marta Rivera layup tied the game at 52, but Premo drove through the Pacers defense to retake the lead. The game remained tied through the final minutes, and the Sand Sharks had a chance to win in it on the final possession, but a jump ball was called and USCB went to OT for the first time this year.
Aiken jumped out to a five-point lead, but USCB clawed right back to tie it at 67 and Bowman drove to the basket and was fouled while hitting the floater to give the Sand Sharks a three-point lead.
The defense stepped up in the final minutes, and Arie’a Garrett produced a huge block before Bowman iced the game at the line for Beaufort, giving the Sand Sharks their first conference win in program history.
USCB couldn’t keep the momentum going Saturday at Flagler, falling, 70-59, despite 18 points from Premo, 14 from Bowman, and 12 from Heyward. The Sand Sharks (5-11, 1-7 PBC) have two home games this week, hosting Columbus State on Wednesday and Clayton State on Saturday.
