GREENWOOD - The Lander Bearcats opened their Peach Belt Conference schedule in commanding fashion, dispatching USC Aiken 76-51 at Finis Horne Arena. The victory boosts Lander to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
Lander's win was fueled by a collective team performance, with five Bearcats scoring double digits. Headlined by Shcira Fowles' third double-double of the season, Fowles was a force on both ends, tallying 19 points and 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards, which helped Lander generate 19 second-chance points.
Joining Fowles in double figures for the Bearcats were Courtney Nesbitt, who delivered 15 points and three assists, and Trinity Thomas, who added 12 points and three rebounds.
Junior forward Abby Carter made a significant impact with 11 points, five rebounds, and a block. Quadaija Langley made her return to the court, contributing 10 points and two steals to round out the balanced scoring effort.
The Bearcats' defensive pressure stifled USC Aiken, forcing 25 turnovers and converting them into 24 points. Lander also out-rebounded the Pacers 53-36, controlling the glass and limiting the visitors' second-chance opportunities.
While the Bearcats held a steady lead through the first half (31-18), they erupted in the third quarter, outscoring USC Aiken 26-11. Shooting 45 percent from the field and a relentless inside presence propelled Lander's offense, with 46 total points in the paint for the game.
Final Thoughts
"Our players played exceptionally well today. There is no better time for everything to start clicking than our first conference game," stated Head Coach Nicole "Colie" Shelwick. "It was a true team effort defensively; we had five players scoring in double figures, and we were dominant on the boards. We are hard to beat when we are balanced like that."
NEXT UP
The Bearcats aim to keep the momentum going as they host the University of Mount Olive on Thursday, Dec. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for noon.
