By Brackin Lambert
uscbathletics.com
BLUFFTON — USC Beaufort’s women ended a three-game skid Saturday, defeating visiting Paine College, 68-33. Janiyah Heyward, Brielle Bartelt, and Mahkayla Premo each posted double-digit scoring efforts in the victory.
“Great game to get back on track,” USCB coach Sharon Versyp said. “It was a rough stretch the last three games, but we were able to overcome the losses and put together a strong win at home.”
Heyward led the way for Beaufort with 17 points and five boards. Bartelt started for the first time this year and scored 13, while Premo flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
USCB started off read hot, as Heyward and Bartelt knocked down shots to go up 6-0. The Sand Sharks used a 7-2 run over a span of 2:30 to take a commanding lead. Bartelt and Heyward each scored seven of Beaufort’s first 18 points. Premo and Rose connected on back-to-back possessions to open the period and USCB held a 17-point lead at the break.
Heyward found her touch in the third, scoring seven points and picking up multiple rebounds. The lead extended to 27 at the start of the fourth and ended the game with an 11-2 run highlighted by triples from Kay’Mar Griffin and Ella Coffey.
USCB (2-3) heads to Jacksonville for a road contest with Edward Waters College on Thursday.