AIKEN, S.C. - The No. 16-ranked USC Aiken women's basketball squad opened the second half on a 24-5 run to overcome a three-point halftime deficit and come away with a 73-54 Peach Belt Conference victory over visiting Armstrong Atlantic State University on Wednesday afternoon atht he Convocation Center.

The Pacers (8-1, 2-0 PBC) shot 61 percent from the floor in the second half to pick up the victory, while Armstrong (6-2, 1-1 PBC) suffered its first Peach Belt loss of the year.

Armstrong opened the contest on an 18-8 run in the game's first ten minutes - eight from junior D.D. Gipson. The Pacers tied the game up at 23-all on a Mackenzie Reese three-pointer with 2:36 left in the first half, but two free throws from sophomore Mauri Wells and two baskets from freshman Dee Hayward staked Armstrong to a three-point lead at halftime, 30-27.

Angelia Hill opened the second half with a basket for the Pirates, but USC Aiken responded with a 24-3 run over the next eight and a half minutes to assume control of the contest. The Pirates hit just 10-of-30 shots in the second half, including 0-of-5 on three-point shots, while USC Aiken made 19-of-31 shots from the floor after halftime, including 4-of-8 threes.

USC Aiken placed four players in double figures, led by Brittany Hill's game-high 19 points. Hannah DeGraffinreed added 14 points and six assists, while Reese and Lindsay Sundberg each added 10 points off the bench.

Gipson led the Pirates on the day with a team-high 17 points.

Armstrong returns to action on Saturday, December 17, hosting Francis Marion in a 1:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference matchup at Alumni Arena.