BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — The University of South Carolina Beaufort women's basketball team opened its 2026 home schedule with an 82–74 victory over Flagler College. The Sand Sharks led wire-to-wire, using strong second and third quarters to build a 24-point advantage before closing out the win against the Saints.
With the victory, USCB improves to 8–6 overall and 5–2 in Peach Belt Conference play. Flagler falls to 6–8 on the season and 2–5 in conference action.
USCB was led by Janiyah Heyward, who finished with 28 points on 12 made field goals while pulling down nine rebounds. She was joined in double figures by Lydia Gattozzi with 15 points and Taniyah Bowman with 13. Gattozzi and Bowman also led the team defensively, recording three steals apiece.
Gattozzi opened the scoring by knocking down a three-pointer off an assist from Heyward for an early 3–0 lead. The Sand Sharks began the game on a 5–1 run, holding Flagler without a made basket for the first three minutes. Gattozzi helped the Sand Sharks to a fast start as she scored seven of USCB's first nine points to give the Sand Sharks a 9–3 advantage four minutes into the quarter. USCB forced six first-quarter turnovers and used seven points each from Gattozzi and Heyward to take a 16–12 lead after one.
Carolina Coria sparked the Sand Sharks early in the second quarter, scoring on a pull-up jumper assisted by Courtney Campbell to extend the lead to 18–12. Flagler responded with a run, trimming the deficit to one at 22–21 with six minutes remaining before tying the game at 24–24. USCB answered with a decisive 13–0 run, highlighted by balanced scoring from five players and led by Jada Young's four points. During the run, the Sand Sharks held the Saints without a made shot and forced two turnovers. USCB carried a 37–26 lead into halftime.
At the break, Heyward led the team with nine points as the Sand Sharks forced 14 first-half turnovers and scored 10 points off the turnovers
Flagler opened the scoring in the third quarter, but Heyward responded with six straight points before a Gattozzi three-pointer capped a 9–0 run to push the lead to 18. After Flagler's first basket of the quarter, the Saints were held scoreless for more than three minutes while committing two turnovers. USCB extended the lead to 20 following a Bowman steal and layup to make it 52–32. Izellah Kendrick later kept the lead over 20 with a jumper assisted by Bowman, making it 66–45. Flagler converted at the buzzer to cut the lead to 19 heading into the fourth.
The Sand Sharks opened the final quarter on a 7–2 run, building their largest lead of the game at 73–49 following a three-pointer by Samantha Bardonaro. Flagler had its strongest push with a 12–2 run, forcing five USCB turnovers to cut the deficit to single digits. Bowman scored USCB's final point to restore a 10-point lead before Flagler connected in the closing seconds, as the Sand Sharks secured the 82–74 win.
USCB forced 24 turnovers and converted them into 21 points. The Sand Sharks assisted on 18 of 34 made field goals and shot 50 percent from the floor.
USCB returns to action Saturday afternoon at Columbus State University, with tip-off scheduled for 1:30 p.m. against the Cougars.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
