RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 2) - Destiny Byfield (Sr./Brooklyn, NY) posted season-highs of 17 points and seven rebounds as Saint Augustine's University surged late to beat USC Aiken 67-60 in a women's basketball contest at Emery Gymnasium on Wednesday, Dec. 1. 

Both Byfield and Lauren Banks (Fr./Clinton, MD), who scored 15 points, keyed a late run after USC Aiken pulled within 44-43 in the fourth period. Byfield scored nine points and Banks added eight, including two three-pointers, during a 23-17 Lady Falcons' spurt in the final seven minutes. 

Byfield made 7 of 12 free throws in the final two minutes to finish off the Pacers (3-4 overall). The Lady Falcons (3-3 overall) held an 11-point lead with 46 seconds remaining. 

Milequa Eason (Sr./Woodland, NC) collected nine points for the Lady Falcons, who opened a 35-19 halftime lead. The margin stretched to 17 in the third period before the Pacers climbed back in the contest. 

The Pacers whittled their deficit to two points by the end of the third period. The contest stayed close in the fourth period until the decisive run by the Lady Falcons. 

Emily Trushel paced USC Aiken with 16 points. USC Aiken had previously beaten Shaw and Claflin, which are in the CIAA with the Lady Falcons. 

SAU hosts its fifth consecutive home game on Saturday, Dec. 4. The Lady Falcons take on Bluefield State in a 1 p.m. game at Emery Gymnasium.