Box Score Due West, S.C – Despite a second half improvement, the Erskine Flying Fleet (3-4) fell 72 to 54 to the Pacers of USC-Aiken (4-3) tonight in non-conference women's basketball action at Belk Arena.
 
The Fleet started on a 5-0 run with a three ball and a mid range jumper from Kristin Giles (Union, SC, Union County High School). It did not take USC-Aiken long to respond and go on a hot streak of their own. The Pacers had 13 points on the board at the under-15 media timeout.
 
Erskine struggled offensively in the first half, but the Fleet were led by Giles who scored 11 points.   USC Aiken shot an impressive 44.1% from the field in the first half, and Erskine could only muster 27.6% from the field. USC Aiken took the 47-23 lead going into the half. 
 
The Fleet opened the second half on a 7-0 run and that forced a timeout by USC Aiken. Erskine ramped up the defensive pressure and only allowed USC Aiken to score 25 points in the second half. Moving to the full court press proved beneficial for the Fleet in the second half as they forced 11 Pacer turnovers. The stifling defense led to points on the offensive end.
 
The Fleet shot 47.8% from the field in the second half. Leading the charge for the Fleet in the second half were Andrienne Bannerman (Wilmington, NC, Pender High School) and Giles with 8 points each.
 
Giles finished with 19 points while Bannerman had 11 points.
 
USC Aiken finished three players reach double-digits in scoring; Mariah Durian had 17, followed by Emry Tsitouris with 14 points, and Kassy Johannsen contributed 11 points. Durian and Tsitouris nearly notched a pair of double-doubles; each ended with 9 rebounds.
 
Erskine travels to Mount Olive, North Carolina on Wednesday to play the Trojans of the University of Mount Olive. Game time is set for 5:30 P.M.