RALEIGH, N.C. -- The William Peace University women's basketball team erased a 20-point deficit in the second half to comeback and defeat cross-town rival Meredith, 63-60. The thrilling comeback was sparked and shouldered by freshman Jayde Grant who finished the game with 20 points.

The Pacers and Avenging Angels traded baskets in the first quarter to finish the first frame tied at 18. The Pacers fell behind in the second quarter and went to half down, 36-26. The Pacers could have been down more, but the team grabbed nine offensive rebounds in the first half and earned a few second chance points that way.

The Pacers started off the third with where they left the second quarter and began to fall further behind. The team found itself down 20 points with 4:06 to go in the third quarter. Jayde Grant and the Pacers started to put the ball in the basket. Grant scored 17 of her 20 points in the last 14 minutes of the game and carried the Pacers back into the game.

The Pacers didn't allow the Angels to score in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter and only allowed two free throws in total, and the Pacers were within four when the Angels made their only two points of the final quarter. Grant scored a layup with 3:36 left in the game to get the Pacers within one point at 60-59. Makayla Ray scored a layup 30 seconds later to put the Pacers ahead with three minutes remaining.

Both teams couldn't convert on their remaining possessions and Meredith fouled with 14 seconds left to send Makayla Ray to the free-throw line. Ray sank both to put the Pacers up three. Meredith was unable to get a shot off in their final possession and the Pacers improved to 16-5 with a 63-60 win over Meredith.

THE BIG PICTURE
The Pacers' win keeps the team in contention to host the first round of the USA South tournament in a couple weeks. If the Pacers remain as the No. 2 seed in the East, they'll host.

THREE POINT WOES
The Pacers went 0 for 9 from beyond the arc and are 0 for 19 in their past two games. The Pacers can win without the three-point shot, but William Peace is significantly more dangerous its connecting from long range.

UP NEXT
The Pacers will travel to Danville, Va., to face Averett tomorrow at 2 p.m.