Dec. 16, 2009

Box Score

Spartanburg, S.C. - On Nov. 21 in Rock Hill, Upstate held a 13-point lead with just under six minutes to play in the game, but watched as Winthrop rallied to take a 49-46 win. Wednesday night in the Hodge Center, the Spartans didn't hold a 13-point advantage, but let a five-point lead with under six minutes to play slip away as the Eagles claimed a 62-53 victory.

Upstate fell to 1-8 on the season with the loss and returns to action Saturday night at UNLV in the first of Upstate's final two non-conference games of the season. Winthrop improved to 5-4 with the win and will host Charlotte Sunday afternoon.

"We were in a position to win the game and had a string of really bad possessions the rest of the game," said Upstate head coach Eddie Payne. "I would be hard-pressed to find any bright spot in this game. We did whatever we needed to do to lose the game. It doesn't get any more disappointing than that. It's one of the worst feelings I've had after a game."

With Winthrop leading by six with 13:47 to play in the game, Upstate wrestled control away from the Eagles and looked to be in position to take its second win of the season. The Spartans used a 15-4 run over the next 5:26 to open a five-point lead, 43-38, with 8:21 to play. Nick Schneiders had seven points to key the run and Josh Chavis capped the run with a three-pointer.

Upstate's lead remained five after Chavis sank a pair of free throws with 5:48 to play. However, the Spartans went cold from the floor and got just one more bucket the rest of the game as Winthrop began its rally.

Winthrop used a 13-0 run to gain control of the game and take the win. Mantoris Robinson started the run with a 3-pointer and tied the game with a pair of free throws. Gideon Gamble converted four straight free throws and Andy Buechert scored four straight points as the Eagles opened a 53-45 lead with 1:45 to play. Upstate fought back to get within five with 39 seconds to play, but Winthrop was solid from the free throw line down the stretch and did not allow Upstate to get any closer.

Upstate's inability to hold onto the ball was key during Winthrop's 13-0 run. The Spartans turned the ball over three times, missed three shots and allowed Winthrop to grab three offensive rebounds which helped the Eagles to their game-changing spurt.

Reggie Middleton led Winthrop with 14 points. Robinson added 13 points and four rebounds, while Buechert finished with 10 points and eight boards. The Eagles shot just 36 percent from the floor, but managed to get the win, in part, due to strong free throw shooting. The Eagles hit 27-of-35 on the night, including 9-of-13 in the final 1:26 of the game.

Just as was the case in the first meeting, Upstate was slow out of the gates but did not allow Winthrop to take a large lead. The Spartans fought to stay in the game, then opened a five-point advantage midway through the half. Winthrop answered with an 11-1 run to open a five-point lead with 5:55 to play and carried the advantage into the locker room, leading 25-20.

After Buechert hit a jumper to begin the second half to give Winthrop a 27-20 lead, Upstate used an 8-1 spurt to tie the game at 28-28. The Eagles regained control and opened a six-point lead with 13:47 to play before Upstate went on its 15-4 run to open its five-point advantage.

Schneiders led the way for Upstate, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots. Chavis added 11 points.

Upstate had its worst offensive showing in the Hodge Center this season. The Spartans entered the game shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and averaging 77 points a game. Wednesday night against Winthrop, the Spartans shot just 29 percent from the field, hit just 3-of-17 shots from behind the arc, and scored 24 points below its home average.