GREENVILLE, S.C. — Sophomores Cartier Jernigan (Charlotte, N.C.) and Khydarius Smith (Fort Mill, S.C.) each scored or tied their career high in points on Saturday afternoon, but it was not enough as the Spartans dropped a 91-63 decision to Furman inside Timmons Arena.
 
Both teams began the game a bit slow as the score was just 9-7 in Furman's favor with 12:02 remaining in the opening half. The Paladins then went on a 14-3 run over the next few minutes to take a 23-10 advantage over the Spartans.
 
Jernigan gave the Spartans some life coming off the bench and scoring six points. However, it was not enough as Upstate trailed 43-25 going into the halftime break.
 
Junior center Nevin Zink (Newtown, Conn.) led the Spartans with 8 first half points and a team best 5 rebounds. The Spartans defense caused 13 Paladin turnovers and held Furman to a 22 percent three-point field goal percentage in the opening period.
 
For most of the second half the Spartans and the Paladins traded baskets as Upstate attempted to cut into Furman's lead. With less than 12 minutes remaining in the second half Jernigan knocked down back-to-back three pointers and Smith made a layup to give the Spartans a quick 8-0 run and forced the Paladins to call a timeout.
 
Despite the Spartans late second half run, it was not enough as the Paladins pulled away on free throws in the final moments of the contest. Furman scored 27 of their 91 points at the free throw line.
 
Jernigan and Zink led the Spartans with 12 points in each in the game. Tommy Bruner (Columbia, S.C.) and Bryson Mozone (North Augusta, S.C.) each finished with 9 points, and Smith tied his career high with 8 points in the contest. Zink led the team with 9 rebounds, while Bruner and Everette Hammond (Silver Springs, Md.) each contributed 4 assists in the loss.
 
Furman had a trio of players end the game in double-figures, Mike Bothwell led the team with 24 points, Alex Hunter contributed 22 points and Jalen Slawson added 10 points.  
 
The USC Upstate men's basketball team will return to the G.B. Hodge Center this Wednesday evening to battle Eastern Kentucky at 5:30 p.m. The game can be seen on both ESPN+ and WYCW regionally.  

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