SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team had four players end the night in double-figures but it was not enough as Radford came away with a 63-59 win inside a packed G.B. Hodge Center on Thursday night.
 
Despite losing the opening tip USC Upstate (7-10, 2-2 BSC) scored the opening basket of the game as Tommy Bruner (Columbia, S.C.) picked-off an errant Radford (9-7, 4-0 BSC) pass and threw the ball up ahead to a streaking Cartier Jernigan (Charlotte, N.C.). The two teams battled to a 6-6 stalemate at the first media timeout of the contest.
 
With 10:07 remaining in the half Devine Eke sparked an 8-0 Radford run to give the Highlanders a 20-12 advantage. At the 7:01 mark of the first half Bruner nailed a transition 3-pointer to spark a 10-0 Spartan run. Josh Aldrich (Wilmington, N.C.) capped off the run with a layup to give the Spartans a 22-20 lead with 4:28 remaining in the period.
 
The two teams battled down the opening half stretch, matching shot-for-shot. Carlik Jones made a layup as time expired to give the Highlanders a 33-32 advantage going into the halftime intermission. Bruner led the Spartans with 13-first half points and Jones matched Bruner with 13-points to lead Radford.
 
Coming out of the halftime break the Spartans came out ready to play as Everette Hammond (Silver Springs, Md.) drained a three-pointer to begin the scoring for either side. The basket sparked the Spartans offense and USC Upstate held a 41-33 advantage with 15:58 to go in the half.
 
With 14:30 to go in the game Brandon Martin (Miami, Fla.) hit a floating jumper to give the Spartans their largest lead of the contest at 45-35. The Highlanders began to chip away at the Spartans lead and with 8:42 to left in the half USC Upstate was holding on to a 48-45 advantage.
 
With four minutes to go in the game the Highlanders tied the game at 54. USC Upstate tried to match Radford in the final moments but the ball did not bounce in their favor. Late baskets by Martin and Hammond kept the Spartans within four points of the Highlanders.

Notes

Upstate – Bruner led the Spartans with 19-points on the night and tied for the team lead in assists with three. Bruner has now reached double-figures in four straight contests and he reset his career high in free throws (11) for the second straight game.
 
Brandon Martin finished with 12-points and missed just one shot from the field. Jernigan tied his career high with 11-points and he led the team with seven rebounds. Hammond contributed 10-points in the loss.

Radford – Jones led all scorers with 23-points and six assists, Donald Hicks added 13-points and Travis Fields recorded 10-points.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans next game will be on the road against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. in Boiling Springs, N.C.
 
USC Upstate will be back at home on Monday, January 20 against High Point University. Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.

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


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