USC Aiken USCA 3-10,0-5 Peach Belt

Lander Lander 3-9,1-4 Peach Belt

USC Aiken USCA

3-10,0-5 Peach Belt

Final

Jan. 03, 2026

Lander Lander

3-9,1-4 Peach Belt

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
USC Aiken USCA	8	16	19	5	48
Lander Lander	8	12	16	22	58

Summary
Box Score

Hailey Franklin

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 1/3/2026 5:58:00 PM | Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Lander rallies past USCA to open New Year with first Peach Belt win

GREENWOOD - The Lander University women's basketball team opened the 2026 calendar year with a statement at home, pulling away late to defeat USC Aiken 58-48 on Saturday for its first Peach Belt Conference victory of the season.

The Bearcats (2-9, 1-4 PBC) overcame an early deficit and a game-long battle of momentum, outlasting the Pacers (3-9, 0-5 PBC) behind a dominant rebounding effort and timely scoring in the fourth quarter. Lander took its final lead at 45-44 with 3:58 remaining and closed the game on a strong finish, limiting USCA to just five points in the final quarter.

Quadaija Langley paced the Bearcats with a game-high 21 points, shooting efficiently from the field and converting all five of her free-throw attempts. Trinity Thomas followed with 13 points, knocking down a pair of long-range threes, while Lauren Crosland added nine points in limited minutes. Jazz Frierson provided a spark off the bench with five points and eight rebounds.

USC Aiken controlled much of the first half and early third quarter, leading for more than 26 minutes overall and building its largest advantage at seven points midway through the third. However, the Pacers struggled to protect the basketball, committing 26 turnovers that led to 21 Lander points. These extra possessions proved decisive, as the Bearcats attempted 25 more shots from the field.

Lander finished with a 43-31 edge on the boards, highlighted by 21 offensive rebounds that generated 14 second-chance points. Alindria Dudley and Frierson each grabbed eight rebounds to anchor the Bearcats' interior presence. Despite shooting just 30.9% from the floor, Lander stayed within striking distance by attacking the glass and capitalizing at the free-throw line, where it shot 78.6%.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Bearcats' defense. Lander forced key turnovers, limited clean looks, and held USCA to 20% shooting from three-point range for the game. A late surge pushed Lander's lead to double digits in the final seconds, capping a hard-fought conference win to begin the new year.

Next up, the Bearcats will travel to Americus, Ga., to face Georgia Southwestern in a conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Storm Dome.

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