AMERICUS, Ga. -- Shanya Jones scored 19 points and Gabby Figgers added 17 to lead the Georgia Southwestern State University women's basketball team to a 77-71 win over USC Aiken in the Peach Belt Conference opener at the Storm Dome Saturday.
The victory improves the Lady Canes to 3-1 overall after a back-and-forth game featured 16 lead changes and eight ties while neither team led by more than seven points. Emily Waters led the Pacers with 20 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
How It Happened: GSW started strong, opening up a 12-5 lead after a layup from Kya Cochran forced USC Aiken coach Mark Miller to call a timeout. The Pacers went on a 10-0 run after the timeout before a Tyisha Moore layup ended the run and made it a 15-14 USCA lead after one.
The Lady Canes got hot from beyond the arc in the second quarter, knocking down four 3-pointers. Gabby Figgers hit two of her five from deep in the quarter as the Lady Canes scored 23 points to take a 37-36 lead into the break.
Neither team could pull away early in the third as the two teams traded baskets at each end. Mariya Trimble scored five points and grabbed three offensive rebounds in the quarter and GSW was able to get a few key stops to turn the third into a 21-16 advantage on the scoreboard.
Crunch time in the fourth quarter went the way of the Lady Canes as Figgers hit two more 3-pointers and Jones scored seven points including some big baskets down the stretch to seal the victory for Georgia Southwestern.
The Lady Canes outrebounded the Pacers 43-35 and held a 14-12 advantage on the offensive boards. Shots from beyond the arc also went the way of GSW, shooting 50 percent (7-of-14) to 40 percent (4-of-10) for USCA.
GSW held a 12-4 edge in fast break points and had 21 assists to only 13 for USC Aiken.
Who Stood Out: Tyisha Moore recorded the first double-double of the season for GSW as she put in 11 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Forward Mariya Trimble contributed 11 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two assists in just 28 minutes before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Shanya Jones added six assists to go along with her 19 points (8-of-13 shooting).
Up Next: GSW has some time off before returning to the court for a 1:00 p.m. tipoff against Albany State at the Storm Dome on December 12.
