AUGUSTA, Ga. - The Paine College women's basketball team fell short in a hard fought non-conference match-up against cross-town rival Augusta University, 69-66, Saturday evening on AU's campus.

The Lady Lions remain winless on the year with an 0-6 record while the Jags improve to 2-3.

Paine played a good first quarter behind Briona Andrews who was making her season debut scoring 5 points helping PC keep the score tied at 14-14 through the end of the period. Augusta turned up the defensive intensity holding Paine to only eight second quarter points and went into the locker rooms with a 28-22 lead.  

The Lady Lions would roar back and take a 57-52 lead with five minutes remaining in the game. Paine held the lead into the final minute of the game until AU's Cynara Pitt layed up the go ahead basket which game Augusta the win.

PC was led by Keondra Archie (Eastover, S.C.) who finished with a team-high 17 points and 8 rebounds while Tania Ward (Jesup, Ga.) chipped in with 15 points, three steals and three assist.

The Lady Lions shot 44.4 (28-of-63) from the field while shooting a 50.0 (4-of-8) from behind the arc. Paine turned the ball over 19 times while forcing 20 Augusta turnovers. AU won the battle on the boards 40-31 including 13 on the offensive end.

The Jaguars got a career performance from Briana Middleton who finished with a double-double, game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds while Joshlyn Belcher had 15 points connecting on 5-of-10 from three point range.

Paine returns to the HEAL Complex to host Lane College in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match-up on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 1 p.m.