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Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate women's basketball team officially tips off its 2013-14 season Friday evening at 6 p.m. as it travels to face the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks at Hytche Arena.
The Spartans begin their 40th season on the hardwood after posting a 12-18 overall record and 8-10 A-Sun mark in 2012-13. Upstate finished fourth in the conference standings and fell in the first round of the A-Sun Tournament to North Florida.
Under the direction of ninth-year head coach Tammy George, the Spartans return six letter winners and three starters from last year's squad including sophomore Brittany Starling. Starling, who was named A-Sun First Team Preseason All-Conference, led the league last season in field-goal percentage shooting at .531. She led the team in rebounding at 6.3 per game and was second in scoring at 10.3 points per contest en route to being named to the A-Sun All-Freshman Team.
Junior Shelby Hicks and sophomore Brittany Clency return as starters after combining for 38 starts last season. Senior Valese McAllister, junior Maddie Herr and sophomore Travonda Haddock are also back for Upstate.
The Spartans welcome in six newcomers this season. The six newcomers are: juniors Lauren Bogle and Sharmayne Edwards, sophomore Alex Stanford, and freshmen Raven Jefferson, Paris Johnson and Toni Romiti.
The Hawks play in the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) and are led by ninth-year head coach Fred Batchelor. UMES went 8-20 last season and 4-12 in the MEAC for an 11th place finish. The Hawks return 12 letter winners and four starters from last season's squad led by Shawnee Sweeney. Sweeney, a junior guard, averaged 7.9 points per game last season.
This will be the first meeting all-time between the two teams. UMES is the first of two teams from the MEAC that Upstate will face this season. The Spartans host South Carolina State on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.
Fans will be able to follow the game online at upstatespartans.com with links to live stats and live video.
The Spartans host Converse College in their home opener Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
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