YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College outscored the University of South Carolina Aiken by 20 points in the second half as the Mountain Lions galloped by the Pacers 60-47 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball contest Saturday (Jan. 31) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Mountain Lions improved to 9-10 overall and to 6-6 in the conference while the Pacers fell to 13-8 and 9-3. Young Harris heads to Dahlonega, Georgia, Wednesday (Feb. 4) for a 5:30 p.m. Battle for Blood Mountain battle against cross-mountain rival University of North Georgia.

Young Harris trailed 26-19 at the half, but Mountain Lions came out of the gates at the beginning of the second half as they scored 11 of the first 13 points as they took their first lead of the game (30-28) on a three-pointer by Virginia Scott with 14:06 remaining.

After USC Aiken tied the game at 32 on an Amaura Brandt jumper a minute later, Young Harris took control of the game as they scored the next 10 points to open up a 42-32 lead after Chan Fann hit a free throw with 8:45 to play. The Mountain Lions opened up their largest lead – 13 points (47-34) – on another Scott three-pointer with 5:31 left. Scott scored all of her career-high 17 points in the second half.

"Our defense was as good today as it has been all season," said YHC interim head coach Matt Stearsman. "We extended our defense and our intensity went through the roof. We only had one player in double figures, which says a lot about our team. They share the ball and they play hard. I can't say enough about our effort today. I'm very proud."

The closest the Pacers, who shot just 20 percent (6-of-30) from the floor in the second half, would get the rest of the way was eight points.

Kaycee Cash added 10 rebounds and eight points for the Mountain Lions while Jasmine Knight added eight points. Ten of the 13 players who saw action for the Mountain Lions scored.

Mackenzie Reese led USC Aiken with 11 points while Kassy Johannsen pulled down 10 rebounds.