BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team faced Lenoir-Rhyne on Tuesday afternoon, and despite a fourth-quarter comeback, the Sand Sharks fell just short in a 71–67 loss.
USCB drops to 2–3 on the season, while the Bears improve to 3–2.
Lydia Gattozzi led the Sand Sharks with 13 points, one of two players in double figures, while adding eight rebounds and three assists. Janiyah Heyward recorded a double-double with 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, along with a game-high five steals. Taniyah Bowman dished out a team-best four assists.
Lenoir-Rhyne struck first with an opening layup, and the teams traded four ties in the first five minutes. Ashley Forner knocked down a three-pointer to even the score at 11–11 with 5:55 left in the quarter. Gattozzi and Madison Self combined for six straight points to give USCB its first lead at 17–13. However, the Bears closed the quarter on an 8–0 run to take a 21–17 advantage into the second.
Courtney Campbell and Bri Pelote helped USCB pull within two early in the second quarter, but the Bears responded with a surge that pushed the deficit to double digits at 38–28. Lenoir-Rhyne forced three Sand Shark turnovers during the run, and Aaliyah El closed the half with her 19th point, giving the Bears a 45–31 halftime lead.
The Bears extended their momentum into the third quarter, building a 20-point advantage at 53–33 with six minutes remaining. The margin hovered around 20 until a late quarter push by the Sand Sharks, highlighted by an Elly Lewis three-pointer, trimming the deficit to 15. USCB entered the fourth quarter trailing 64–47.
The Sand Sharks' defense fueled their comeback effort in the final period. Jada Young scored the first four points of the quarter, and USCB cut the lead to 10 at 66–56 while holding the Bears without a field goal until the 5:47 mark, Lenoir-Rhyne's only made shot of the quarter. Lewis' second three-pointer brought the deficit to nine, sparking a 7–0 run that included four straight stops. Gattozzi cut the gap to five, and Heyward brought the Sand Sharks within two at 69–67, the closest USCB had been since the first half. However, two late free throws by the Bears sealed the 71–67 final.
USCB held Lenoir-Rhyne to just 9% shooting in the fourth quarter and forced seven turnovers. The Sand Sharks also won the rebounding battle, 51–44.
USCB travels on the road this weekend for a two-game slate at the Eckerd Thanksgiving Classic. The Sand Sharks face Barry at 1 p.m. Friday before taking on host Eckerd College at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
