Spartanburg, S.C. – Senior Riley Popplewell joined the 700 rebounds club on Tuesday night, but it was a tale of two halves as USC Upstate (8-16, 3-12 BSC) fell to Hampton University (15-10, 11-5 BSC) 86-73 inside the G.B. Hodge Center.

The Spartans used an 11-0 run in the first quarter to establish a lead over the Pirates early in the game as Brianna Lewis and Riley Popplewell led offensively with 8 and 6 points, respectively, in the opening period. Anda Kuzmina and Natalie Panufnik each hit a three-ball in the frame.

Upstate once again outscored Hampton in the second period, and Shelby Glance hit back-to-back treys to give the Spartans a 13-point lead going into the halftime break. In the first half, Upstate outshot Hampton 46.7 percent to 31.3 percent. Lewis led with 12 points, and Popplewell surpassed the 700 career rebounds mark with seven in the half.

Hampton outscored Upstate 31-8 in the third quarter and put up 61 total points in the second half to complete the comeback win over the Spartans.

Notes
Upstate – Lewis led Upstate in scoring with 23 points on the night, and two other Spartans scored in double-figures as Quadijah Moore put up 15 and Popplewell had 14. Popplewell finished the night with nine boards, and Moore pulled down eight alongside a tied career-high six blocks. As a team, the Spartans shot 41.3 percent from the field and out-rebounded Hampton 44-30.

Hampton – The Pirates were led on the night by Laren VanArsdale and Ashley Bates with 28 and 27 points, respectively. Nylah Young added 17 points.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans head back out on the road this weekend to face UNC Asheville on Saturday, February 22. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.

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

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