SPARTANBUG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team will hold their season opener on Friday night at 6 p.m. inside the G.B. Hodge Center against Truett McConnell University.
USC Upstate (0-1) and Truett McConnell (1-0) are meeting for just the second time in school history. Last season the Spartans defeated the Bears 85-54 in front of a crowd of 557 adoring fans. Five Spartans ended the game in double-figures last season with
Deion Holmes leading the way with 16 points.
Pat Welch finished with 12 points,
Bryson Mozone had 11 points and both
Brandon Martin and
Malik Moore contributed 10 points to the Spartans cause.
The Spartans are looking to rebound after a difficult opening night loss to the College of Charleston on Tuesday evening. Freshman guard
Tommy Bruner led the Spartans offensively with 14 points in the contest, Martin contributed 13 points in the loss and led the team in rebounds with 8 on the night.
USC Upstate will be looking to win their second consecutive home opener under
Dave Dickerson on Friday night. Last season the Spartans defeated Brevard College 86-43 in front of a nearly sold out Eddie and Ann Payne arena. USC Upstate shot 49 percent from the floor and had four players end the night in double figures. Moore led the way with 20 points followed a trio of 14 point outings from
Everette Hammond,
Nevin Zink and
Thomas Booker.
Truett McConnell meanwhile is coming off a 71-68 victory over Toccoa Falls College. The Bears shot 40 percent from the floor and 61 percent from the free throw line. Enocka Franky led the Bears with 24 points and 16 rebounds and JaDon Davis added 11 points in the victory over Toccoa Falls.
Season tickets and individual game tickets and still be purchased online. Tickets for the contest start at $8.00 for adults or $5.00 for youth (ages 3-17). If you are unable to make it to the game live video links and stat links can be found at
www.upstatespartans.com.
To purchase tickets, for Upstate Spartans basketball, shop online at
upstatespartans.com or call, 864-503-7190. Follow Upstate men's basketball on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateMB), Instagram (@upstatespartans) and YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics).
