Thursday's matchUP
January 2, 7:00 p.m.

Upstate (5-8, 0-0 Big South) VS Charleston Southern (6-6, 0-0 Big South),
Charleston, S.C.

TV: ESPN+ (online only)

Game Notes: Click Here

Series History
   This is the ninth all-time meeting between USC Upstate and Charleston Southern. The Buccaneers lead the overall series 7-1 and they have won the past four meetings, including all three matchups during the 2019 season. The last time these two teams met it was in Charleston for the First Round of the Big South Tournament. The Spartans and Buccaneers played to a 29-29 tie in the opening half but Charleston Southern outscored USC Upstate 42-23 in the second half to advance in the tournament. Everette Hammond led the team with 17-points in the contest.

Last time out
UPSTATE – For the first time since the 2016-17 season USC Upstate (5-8, 0-0 BSC) scored 90-plus points in consecutive games. Four Spartans ended the game in double figures, Bryson Mozone (10 points), Cartier Jernigan (11 points), Brandon Martin (23 points), Everette Hammond (31 points). USC Upstate also shot an even 50 percent from the field on the night. The Spartans improve to 4-1 in the month of December and they are currently averaging 81-points per game.

Charleston Southern – The Buccaneers are coming off a 108-52 victory over Piedmont International. Six Charleston Southern players ended the night in double-figures and they will be looking for their third straight win on Thursday night.

Ones to watch
UPSTATE – Everette Hammond is coming off his first career 30-point game on Sunday afternoon against VMI. Hammond's 31-points on Sunday afternoon tie him for ninth place on the school's single game point record. Brandon Martin came off the bench and scored a career high 23 points, while Bryson Mozone added an additional 10 points off the bench.

Charleston Southern – Dontrell Schuler leads the team in points per game (18.0) and total assists (32). Phlandrous Fleming Jr. is second on the team in points per game (11.8) but leads the team in total rebounds (89) and blocks (13). Fleming and Schuler are currently tied for the team lead in steals with 17 each.

UP next for the Spartans
USC Upstate will stay on the road this weekend with a trip to Longwood University on Saturday afternoon. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. opening tip.
 
The Spartans will return to the G.B. Hodge Center on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 to take on the Hampton Pirates. 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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