EDINBURG, Texas – For the first time since the 2006-07 season, the USC Upstate men's basketball team is 2-1, thanks to a 70-66 win over Texas-Pan American Friday night inside the UTPA Fieldhouse.

Upstate and UTPA (0-3) battled back and forth in the first 7:12 of the contest with the two teams tied at 10 at the 12:48 mark.  From there Upstate went on a 12-4 run to take a 22-14 advantage with just over nine minutes to play in the first half.

The Broncs cut into the Spartan lead and trailed by just six points at intermission, 38-32.

"Our kids battled tonight," said head coach Eddie Payne.  "We had a big lead and we let it slip away, but we never gave up.  It is a positive for our program to get some early season wins.  Ricardo (Glenn) and Jodd (Maxey) both had strong games for us tonight and I am proud of our effort."

UTPA trimmed the deficit to just three points with 16:12 to play when Ruben Cabrera connected on both of his free throw attempts.  With Upstate ahead, by four (47-43), the Spartans used a 10-0 run over a span of 3:29 to take a 57-43 lead with 11:25 to play.

The Spartans appeared to have the game in hand, but following a 5:16 minute drought, the Broncs caught fire and surged ahead by one with 5:13 to play.  UTPA took a 61-60 lead thanks to its 17-3 run in 3:33.

With the clubs tied at 66, Torrey Craig (Great Falls, S.C.) made his way through the lane and connected on his lay-up with 1:02 to play.

UTPA had a trio of chances in the final 30 seconds, but were unsuccessful.  Mario Blessing (Kusterdingen, Germany) sank two free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining to give the Spartans the four-point.

"I felt good during pre-game warm-ups," said Upstate forward Ricardo Glenn.  "I had a very good first half, but I was frustrated late in the half when I picked up my third foul.  Having those three fouls, I had to change my game in the second half because I couldn't be as aggressive.  I only had four points in the final half, but my teammates stepped up and we were able to get the win tonight."

The Spartans were led by Glenn (Augusta, Ga.) and Craig, who both finished with 15.  Jodd Maxey (Statham, Ga.) pitched in 13 points to aid the Spartan effort.

Four different Broncs reached double-figures, highlighted by Jared Maree's 17 points.

The Spartans will return to action tomorrow afternoon when they battle Toledo.  Tip-off inside the UTPA Fieldhouse is slated for 4:30 p.m. (CT).