BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team returned home for its conference home opener against Augusta on Wednesday night. The Sand Sharks (5–5, 2–1 PBC) fell to the Jaguars (5–2, 2–1 PBC) after a strong second quarter for the Jaguars in which Augusta outscored USCB 24–11, helping lead to a 78–72 victory. Taniyah Bowman led USCB with 22 points.

The Sand Sharks had three players reach double figures, led by Bowman's 22. Lydia Gattozzi and Samantha Bardonaro also scored in double digits. Gattozzi added a team-high seven rebounds and four steals.

After Augusta scored the first basket of the game, the Sand Sharks responded with a strong 12–0 run sparked by Gattozzi. Jada Young contributed five points during that stretch, while USCB forced a turnover and held Augusta to 0-for-5 shooting. The Jaguars went nearly five minutes without a field goal before ending the run with an offensive put-back. Bardonaro knocked down a jumper to rebuild a nine-point lead at 17–8, and USCB led 19–11 after a driving finish by Bowman in the closing seconds of the quarter.

Early in the second quarter, USCB pushed the lead back to double digits at 22–11 after three more points from Bowman. Augusta answered with an 11–2 run, shooting a perfect 5-for-5 to pull within two. The Jaguars eventually tied the game and took their first lead since the open at 30–29 with 1:42 left in the half. A 9–0 spurt extended Augusta's lead to 35–29, and USCB went into the break trailing 35–30.

The third quarter was tightly contested. After Augusta opened with a basket, the Sand Sharks responded with a 10–2 run, reclaiming a 40–39 lead on a Bardonaro three-pointer, her eighth point of the game. Gattozzi sparked the run with five points and two forced turnovers as USCB shot 3-for-5. The teams traded leads before Augusta closed the quarter on an 11–2 run to push the margin to 54–46, then beat the buzzer to take a 58–47 lead into the fourth.

USCB trailed by as many as 13 early in the fourth quarter before mounting a 9–1 run to pull within 61–56, led by four points from Janiyah Heyward. The Jaguars extended their advantage back to seven at 67–60 midway through the period. USCB climbed within two at 70–68 after a Bardonaro jumper, her 13th point of the night, but could not get any closer. Augusta rebuilt the lead to 78–70 before final points from Bowman brought the game to its 78–72 final.

The Sand Sharks are back on the road Saturday afternoon to face Middle Georgia State University to continue Peach Belt Conference action.

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