CLINTON, S.C. – Two Spartans hit double-digits on the scoresheet Saturday afternoon, but USC Upstate dropped the road contest to Presbyterian College 55-47 inside the Templeton Center.

Freshman Shelby Glance started things off for the Spartans with her first career 3-pointer to put USC Upstate (6-13, 1-9 BSC) ahead 3-2 with 5:51 left in the opening period. Brianna Lewis pushed USC Upstate's lead to 5-2 a few seconds later, but Presbyterian (6-12, 2-7 BSC) answered with a 9-0 run to force an Upstate timeout with 2:22 remaining. The Spartans ended the first quarter down 16-5.

Michaela Gibbons drained a 3-pointer to open the scoring in the second quarter before Lewis capitalized on a Presbyterian turnover to spark a quick run for the Spartans. Barrett Herring hit a jumper to force a Presbyterian timeout with 5:26 remaining, and Kathryn Kirkwood came out of the timeout with a layup from Gibbons to cut USC Upstate's deficit to four points and cap the 6-0 run at 18-14. Herring pulled the Spartans within two points of the Blue Hose with just under two minutes remaining in the half, and USC Upstate went into the halftime break down by four at 22-18 after being down by 11 at the beginning of the second frame. The Spartans held the Blue Hose to just six points and 18.2 percent shooting from the field in the second quarter.

Herring once again pulled the Spartans within two points of Presbyterian with a layup in the first minute of the third period. Freshman Lillian Flantos later sparked a 7-0 run for USC Upstate with a 3-pointer four minutes into the frame, and jumpers from Lewis and Kirkwood in that span would cut USC Upstate's deficit to 30-27 with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter. The Spartans ended the period down once again by four points, entering the final frame with some momentum.

A pair of early Spartan baskets in the fourth quarter nearly overcame an 11-point deficit from the first half as USC Upstate came within one point of Presbyterian at 36-35. A few moments later, Riley Popplewell found the scoresheet with USC Upstate's first free throw of the game to keep the Spartans close as time continued to tick. However, the Blue Hose used an 11-1 run with a pair of back-to-back treys to push their lead back to double-digits, and never looked back as they secured the 55-42 win.
 
Notes
Upstate – Brianna Lewis is settling back into the starting lineup as she led USC Upstate's offensive efforts with 15 points on the day. Barrett Herring also scored in double-digits with 10 points while she and Riley Popplewell led the Spartans on the glass with eight boards each. Kathryn Kirkwood led the bench in scoring for the fourth straight game with seven points.

Presbyterian – Three Blue Hose scored in double-figures, led by Tionna Carter's double-double effort of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Tess Santos finished with 13 points and Trinity Johnson with 11. Kacie Hall eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark in the contest with eight points.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans take a week off before returning to the Hodge for Homecoming on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Tip-off against Campbell is slated for 2:00 p.m.

Tickets
Start at $8.00 (adults), $5.00 (ages 3-17); 864-503-7190 or BUY HERE.

Keep UP with the Spartans
Facebook (UpstateAthletics)
Twitter (@UpstateWB)
Instagram (@upstatespartans)
YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics)