AIKEN, S.C. – Nationally-ranked USC Aiken used a 24-point performance from Kayla Harris to deal the UNCP women's basketball team its first loss, 51-65, in Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday evening in the Convocation Center.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Lady Braves (5-3, 0-1 PBC), while also marking the third-straight loss to the Pacers (7-0, 1-0). USC Aiken improves to 33-13 all-time against the Black and Gold. The No. 3 Pacers remain perfect so far in the 2012-13 campaign. 

The Pacers were able to take advantage of 20 UNCP turnovers to tally 15 points off of turnovers. The Lady Braves drilled four-of-14 shots from the perimeter, for a 28.6 3 point percentage, compared to USC Aiken who was able to shoot just 20 percent behind the arc.  

Jazmine Kemp led the UNCP offense with eight points, while Taylor Gallentine added seven points to the losing cause. Chandrica Fuller pulled down a team-best six rebounds, while Wayne Mack and Kierra Haney came off the bench and grabbed three boards apiece. Courtney Bolton and Gallentine combined for the Lady Braves' only steals of the game, with Bolton snatching a pair of steals and Gallentine contributing an addition steal. 

Harris was 11-of-15 from the field and dished out a team-best 24 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers. Daniela Tarailo and Brittany Hill backed Harris, adding 11 points and nine points, respectively. Hill produced a team-high 11 assists for USC Aiken. 

"Well first of all, I think Aiken is a very good team, they are well coached, physical and have girls who can shoot the ball and are good post players. They are a very solid team," said head UNCP coach John Haskins. "We played well in the first half, but made some turnovers in the end. Kayla Harris played extremely well and got them back in the game to give them the lead before halftime. In the second half we struggled to score and didn't play well offensively. We just need to regroup and get ready for Monday."

A 3 point bucket by Hill early into the second half sparked a 12-point Pacer run, giving them a 47-31 lead over the Lady Braves. Less than a minute later USC Aiken went on another run and scored 13 unanswered points, taking a 26-point lead over UNCP, the largest of the night. The Lady Braves threatened a comeback, scoring 12 straight points. Despite suffering a setback, 65-51, UNCP outscored the Pacers, 12-2, in the final five minutes of the game.

The lead changed five times in the first half, but the Pacers took the lead 35-29 before halftime. UNCP used a five-point run to grab its largest lead of the game, 25-19, on a trey from Kamille Horne and consecutive made free throws from Mack. USC Aiken made up for the deficit, going on a 7-3 run in the final two minutes of the half.

The Lady Braves will look regroup on Monday as they play host to PBC opponent Lander (1-4, 0-1), with tip slated for 5:30 p.m.