CONCHRA, GEORGIA — The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team rallied late to earn a 62–59 conference road victory over Middle Georgia State University on Saturday afternoon.

Lydia Gattozzi's go-ahead basket in the final 30 seconds capped a late run as the Sand Sharks (6–5, 3–1) stole the win from the Knights (7–2, 2–2).

USCB featured a balanced scoring attack led by Bri Pelote and Samantha Bardonaro, who scored 14 points apiece. Gattozzi added 12 points as nine different Sand Sharks found the scoring column. Janiyah Heyward led the team with eight rebounds, while Taniyah Bowman recorded four steals.

Middle Georgia scored the game's first two baskets before the Sand Sharks got on the board more than two minutes in, as Madison Self capitalized on a turnover for USCB's first points of the game. Bardonaro pushed the Sand Sharks in front for the first time with four straight points, including her first 3-pointer of the game. Her second triple capped a 7–0 run and extended the lead to six. Pelote's layup later gave USCB its largest lead of the quarter at eight.Middle Georgia held the Sand Sharks scoreless over the final three minutes of the opening period, but USCB maintained a 15–12 lead after one quarter behind Bardonaro's seven points.

The defensive battle continued in the second quarter, with the Sand Sharks forcing 19 first-half turnovers and recording seven steals. Gattozzi scored the first points of the quarter, while Bowman recorded her third steal of the half during a stretch of three consecutive forced turnovers. Middle Georgia scored its first points of the quarter three minutes in, but USCB held a 19–14 lead.The Knights trimmed the deficit to one before Heyward ended the run with her first basket of the game. Ellen Meyer later scored her first field goal off an assist from Courtney Campbell, as USCB carried a 26–23 lead into halftime.

Middle Georgia came out strong in the third quarter, opening on a 9–2 run to take a 30–28 lead at the 7:40 mark. The Knights extended their advantage to as many as nine points twice during the quarter. USCB was outscored 24–14 in the period as Middle Georgia shot 47 percent from the field, while holding the Sand Sharks to 26 percent shooting. Late points in the quarter by Jada Young cut the deficit to seven, but USCB still trailed 47–40 entering the fourth quarter.

The teams traded baskets early in the final period, with Bardonaro's layup cutting the deficit to four. Middle Georgia stretched the lead back to nine one final time at 55–46 with 4:13 remaining before the comeback started. The Sand Sharks responded with a late rally as Pelote scored four of the next 10 points to pull USCB within one at 57–56. After a Middle Georgia basket made it 59–56, Pelote converted an offensive rebound put back while drawing a foul. Gattozzi then grabbed an offensive rebound and finished the layup to give USCB a 60–59 lead with 30 seconds remaining.Heyward forced a turnover on the next inbound pass, as Bowman sealed the win with two free throws for the 62–59 victory.

USCB finished the game with 26 forced turnovers, 11 steals, and 19 points off turnovers.

The Sand Sharks return to action Wednesday evening on the road at Georgia College & State University, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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