AIKEN, S.C. – The UNC Pembroke women's basketball team shot better than 42 percent from beyond the arc and used a clutch 3-pointer from Melanie Horne with just more than a second remaining to secure a 72-69 upset victory over USC Aiken on Wednesday evening inside the Convocation Center.
 
The win helped Braves (8-9, 3-6 PBC) snap a four-game road losing streak, while also giving the Black & Gold its fifth win in the last six meetings with USC Aiken. The setback snapped a four-game home winning streak for the Pacers (10-7, 5-4) who had not lost in the Convocation Center since December 18.

 

THE BASICS

Score: UNC Pembroke 72, USC Aiken 69 Records: UNC Pembroke 8-9, 3-6 PBC; USC Aiken 10-7, 5-4 PBC Location: Aiken, S.C. (Convocation Center)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST QUARTER

UNC Pembroke took a 12-9 lead off of a 3-pointer from Tiara Williams at the 4:24 minute mark, but USC Aiken connected on their next three field goal attempts to storm ahead, 16-12, two minutes later. UNCP sank half of their shots in the quarter, and Jillian Ebron's bucket with three seconds left pulled the Braves to within one point, 21-20, heading to the second period.

2ND QUARTER

The Black & Gold used a 7-2 scoring surge to retake the lead, 31-26, at the 5:07 mark. The hosts clawed their way back and tied the score at 33 apiece off of a trey from Alex Canady with three minutes left before the break, but five of the last seven points belonged to UNCP who took a 38-35 lead into the locker rooms.

3RD QUARTER

The hosts shot better than 47 percent from the field in the period and took their largest lead of the game, 52-47, following a jumper from Rikoya Anderson with a minute left in the period. UNCP made it a one-possession game on Melanie Horne's trey moments later, but Melyk Taouil scored with seven seconds left to give the hosts a 54-50 edge heading to the final stanza.

4TH QUARTER

Mely Taouil scored five consecutive points to give the hosts a 68-63 lead with one minute left in regulation. Alcenia Purnell put together an old-fashioned 3-point play on the other end of the court to pull the Black & Gold within two points, and then knocked down a 3-pointer moments later off of a steal from Aliyah Farmer to give UNCP the lead. Alexis Mack hit the back end of a 1-and-1 opportunity to knot the score up at 69 points apiece, but Melanie Horne drained a 3-pointer with time winding down to provide the final points of the evening.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Freshman Alcenia Purnell led all scorers and logged a career-high 27 points in 29 minutes of play, and also added five rebounds, three steals and two assists. + Melanie Horne turned in 14 points thanks mainly in part to a 4-for-8 effort from 3-point territory. She also had two blocks. + Jillian Ebron recorded nine points on 4-for-7 shooting.

NOTABLES

+ UNC Pembroke committed a season-low eight turnovers, including just three in the first half. The eight turnovers is the fewest in a game since the Black & Gold committed five in a home loss to Flagler on Feb. 2, 2019. + The Braves logged just their sixth road win in 29 trips to Aiken, but have now won two of the last three series matchups in the Convocation Center. + Wednesday's contest featured 12 lead changes and 11 tie scores, including five lead changes in the fourth quarter alone.

UP NEXT

The Braves will close out their two-game road trip on Saturday when they travel to Americus, Ga., to take on Georgia Southwestern (5-10, 1-8 PBC). Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 inside the Storm Dome.

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JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Women's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.