The USC Upstate men's basketball team got the attention of the college basketball world Wednesday night as the Spartans led the 2^nd ranked Louisville Cardinals deep into the second half.  The Spartans trailed by just 6 at the break and took the lead with 14:45 remaining thanks to a 10-2 fueled by 7 points in the span by Everette Hammond (Soph., Silver Spring, Md.). Upstate went toe-to-toe with Louisville for the game's first 30 minutes, but the Cardinals closed the contest on a 22-4 run and thwarted the upset bid, 76-50.

"I am very proud of how our players handled tonight's game and tonight's atmosphere. We played 30 minutes of solid basketball on both ends of the floor. Now, the challenge will be can we bottle up tonight's effort for 30 minutes versus the 2^nd ranked team in the country and get better," noted Upstate head men's basketball coach Dave Dickerson.

Bryson Mozone (Soph., North Augusta, S.C.) led the attack for Upstate with 14 points including 4-of-7 from behind the 3-point arc.  The Spartans drained 9 three pointers as a team including the game's first two trifectas to take the lead through the game's first six minutes.

Upstate (1-5) forced 7 steals on the night and the clubs tied with 10 points each off turnovers. As has been a theme all year with production off the bench, the Spartans bench scored 19 points to the Cardinals 15.  

Jordan Nwora led the Cardinals (5-0) with 28 points and Ryan McMahon added 15 points by way of 5 made 3-point shots.

UP next
Saturday, November 23 | 2:00 pm | vs. Youngstown State
Eddie and Ann Payne Arena at the G.B. Hodge Center

Tickets
Start at $8.00 (adults), $5.00 (ages 3-17)
864-503-7190 and upstatespartans.com

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