Upstate Holds Tip-Fest as Season Openers Loom
11/5/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate Athletic Department hosted a rally Monday night to get Spartan fans excited for the start of the men's and women's basketball seasons.
Upstate men's basketball head coach Eddie Payne and senior Tee'Ara Copney of the women's team addressed the crowd and encouraged the student body in particular to be diligent supporters of both teams this season.
The Spartan men tip-off Nov. 9, traveling to Saint Louis for an 8:05 p.m. start, while the Upstate women open the season at Purdue Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. Payne and Copney encouraged students to come out for the home-openers. The men welcome Hiawassee Nov. 12 for a 7 p.m. tip time and the women take on St. Andrews Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. inside the Hodge Center.
The men's and women's 2012-13 squads were introduced to the spirited crowd, followed by a shoot-out between the two teams. The competition came down to a final shoot-out between the women's duo of Valese McAllister and Maddie Herr, taking on the pair of Ty Greene and Mario Blessing. The men's team ended up claiming the shoot-out victory.
Members of the Upstate men's squad participated in a dunk contest as Dee Washington, Zach Lillie, Torrey Craig and Babatunde Olumuyiwa battled it out. According to the fan applause, the contest was a tie between Lillie and Olumuyiwa. The two went head-to-head, but it was the rookie Lillie who pulled out the victory with a leap over Ty Greene and Mario Blessing.
Free t-shirts were given to the first 250 fans and received a chance to win a 32-inch television. The winner of the television will be announced at the men's basketball home-opener Nov. 12 against Hiwassee.
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