Chandler Records Career Day Once Again in Loss to Columbus State

COLUMBUS, Ga. – Kendra Chandler had a career high scoring performance for the second consecutive game, but it was not enough as the University of South Carolina Aiken (19-9, 11-7 PBC) fell to Columbus State on the road, 80-72, Saturday night.

Chandler (Aiken, S.C./ Aiken) led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting. Her afternoon included a perfect 7-of-7 performance from the free throw line.
 
The junior forward eclipsed her previous career high by five points which she set in the Pacers Wednesday night 78-70 victory over Lander at the Convocation Center.
 
Senior guard Meredith Legg (Huntersville, N.C./ Hopewell) entered Saturday’s game six three pointers shy of No. 300 for her career.
 
The Peach Belt Conference’s all-time leader in three-pointers, Legg scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-7 from downtown. The three 3-pointers currently put her three treys shy of No. 300.
 
Sophomore guard Trianna Harris, (Springfield, Va./ West Springfield) also scored in double figures for the Pacers, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe on her way to 10 points to go along with four assists.
 
The opening minutes of the contest featured several lead changes between the two PBC opponents before the Pacers took a 14-10 lead.
 
Columbus State responded with a 14-2 run to take the lead 24-16 with just under 10 minutes to play in the first half.
 
The Lady Cougars would not trail in the game the rest of the way, keeping the Pacers out of reach by shooting 55 percent over the final 20 minutes of regulation.
 
USCA came into the matchup as the best free throw shooting team in the PBC and continued to demonstrate their touch from the line connecting on 19-of-22 free throw attempts.
 
Phebe Smith, the Reigning PBC Player of the Week, led Columbus State with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. She also brought down 16 boards to claim a double-double.
 
The Pacers complete their two-game road trip on Wednesday night when they travel to Clayton State for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off as part of a doubleheader with the men’s contest against the Lakers immediately following the men’s contest.
 
USCA will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 in the Convocation Center against Georgia College & State at 5:30 p.m. It will be Senior Night at the Convocation Center.