SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Three Spartans scored in double-figures and senior Riley Popplewell posted three career-highs and a double-double Saturday afternoon as USC Upstate pushed Big South leader Campbell University to double overtime in front of a homecoming crowd inside G.B. Hodge Arena. The Spartans matched up with the nation's leader in scoring defense, but dropped a hard-fought contest to the Camels 80-72. This was USC Upstate's first time going to double overtime since taking North Florida to triple overtime on February 11, 2017.

Barrett Herring won the opening tip-off and got USC Upstate (6-14, 1-10 BSC) on the board a minute and 23 seconds later. Soon after, she evened things up at six-all with 6:16 remaining in the opening frame. Riley Popplewell registered a block at 4:42 to send the Spartans into the first media timeout down 11-6. She then knocked down her first 3-pointer of the season to pull the Spartans within two points of Campbell (15-5, 10-1 BSC) at 11-9. Brianna Lewis tied things up at 13 with 1:41 remaining in the period and took the lead on a free throw to end the first quarter with a 14-13 Spartan advantage.

Campbell opened the second frame with a 3-pointer, but Lewis quickly tied things back up at 16. A moment later, Campbell's Svenia Nürenberg went up for a layup, but had no chance against Popplewell who notched her second block of the day. Kathryn Kirkwood later ended Campbell's 7-0 run with a layup before Lewis closed an offensive scramble for USC Upstate with a 3-pointer to pull the Spartans within two points of the Camels at 23-21. Herring closed the period with a 3-pointer in the final 26 seconds to send the Spartans into halftime down 26-24. Lewis led the Spartans in the first half with 10 points, and Popplewell pulled down eight boards and posted three blocks in the first 20 minutes of play.

The Spartans and Camels went back-and-forth through the first two and a half minutes of the third frame before a pair of Kirkwood free throws sparked a run for USC Upstate. During that span, Popplewell notched yet another block to set a career-high with four. About a minute later, she tied things up at 36 when she drained her second 3-pointer of the game for another career-high. Kirkwood put the Spartans up 38-36 before Lillian Flantos capped USC Upstate's 9-0 run with a free throw with 3:22 remaining in the third period. A Campbell three tied things back up at 39, but Kirkwood's jumper from Maya Timberlake put the Spartans back up 41-39. Campbell's bench received a technical foul in the final minute of the quarter before the period ended tied up at 44-all.

Lewis took back a 50-49 lead for the Spartans three minutes into the fourth period, and both teams when shot-for-shot until USC Upstate hit back-to-back jumpers to go up 58-55 with a minute and a half left in regulation. Nine seconds later, Campbell hit a three to even things back up at 58 and force extra time.

Herring took the overtime tip, and Lewis hit an and-1 to take a quick 61-58 lead in the frame. Herring later posted a crucial block to keep things even at 64 and send the game into its second overtime period. Popplewell pushed the Spartans up to a 66-64 lead with a jumper from Lewis 18 seconds into the second overtime. Campbell answered by taking six straight points as part of a 12-2 run over a span of 3:52, and despite Anda Kuzmina getting a jumper back followed by a pair of Popplewell free throws, the Camels pulled away to take the game 80-72.
 
Notes
Upstate – Brianna Lewis tied a season-high with a game-high 25 points beside seven assists. Riley Popplewell also tied a season-high with 17 points as she hauled in a career-high 17 rebounds for her 11^th career double-double. Kathryn Kirkwood once again led USC Upstate's bench with a tied season-high 13 points. Anda Kuzmina pulled down a season-high seven rebounds.

Campbell – The Camels had four score in doubles led by Shyanne Tuelle's 23 points. Hayley Barber posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue a three-game home stand when they host Presbyterian College on Tuesday, February 4 at 6:00 p.m. inside the G.B. Hodge Center.

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

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