SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Senior guard Brianna Lewis made her return to the court Tuesday night as USC Upstate battled Radford inside the G.B. Hodge Center. Michaela Gibbons pulled down a season-high nine rebounds, but the Spartans (6-12, 1-8 BSC) fell to the Highlanders (7-10, 5-3 BSC) 57-41.

Lewis checked in with 2:38 remaining in the first period for her first appearance since High Point on January 4. She collected an assist 17 seconds later and hit a basket a minute and a half into the second frame. She finished her return with five assists, six points, and a rebound.

Natalia Panufnik knocked down a big 3-pointer to open USC Upstate's scoring in the second frame. She would end the contest with nine points, matching a season-high for the Wolomin, Poland native.

The Spartans battled back after a tough start to win the third quarter, spanning most of the period on a 13-5 run. That run saw a pair of jumpers from Lewis and four free throws from Riley Popplewell who, in conjunction with Barrett Herring and Kathryn Kirkwood, closed USC Upstate's night with a perfect slate from the charity stripe.

Herring was a force for the Spartans in the final quarter with seven points and an assist. She sniped a 3-pointer from Lewis with just over two minutes remaining in the game, but unfortunately couldn't spark a comeback for USC Upstate.

Notes
Upstate – Kirkwood led the scoring for the Spartans with 11 points. She also collected five rebounds and tied her season-high of two blocks. Michaela Gibbons' season-high nine rebounds also led the team while Anda Kuzmina tied a season-high five boards.

Radford – Sydney Nunley led the Highlanders with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Khiana Johnson posted 12 points and Amele Ngwafang pulled down 10 boards.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans head back out on the road this weekend to face Presbyterian College on Saturday, January 25. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. in Clinton, S.C.

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

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