Saturday's matchUP
February 22, 2:00 pm

USC Upstate (8-16, 3-12 Big South) VS UNC Asheville (14-11, 8-8 Big South)
Asheville, N.C.

TV: ESPN+ (available online and on the ESPN app)

Series History
This Spartans will face the Bulldogs for the 12^th time in Upstate's DI history. The last time these two teams met, UNC Asheville took a 68-48 victory to give Upstate its first loss inside the G.B. Hodge Center of the season. Barrett Herring bested her previous career-high of 13 points with 17 points in the contest to lead USC Upstate's offense. Riley Popplewell led the Spartan rebounding efforts with 13 boards beside Jada Logan's career-high 11 rebounds. Michaela Gibbons contributed a team-high four assists in the loss. For the Bulldogs, Nadiria Evans and Sonora Dengoki both scored in double-figures with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Brooke Jordan-Brown also hit double-digits, but in rebounds with 11.

Last time out
UPSTATE – The Spartans have won two of their last four games, but are most recently coming off an 86-73 setback to Hampton on Tuesday night at home. Upstate led by 13 at the half, but gave way to 61 second-half points from the Pirates. Senior Riley Popplewell surpassed the 700 career rebounds milestone in the contest with nine boards. Brianna 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. Moore tied a career-high six blocks and the Spartans had nine blocks as a team.

UNC Asheville – The Bulldogs fell short against Charleston Southern Tuesday night, 56-54. Nadiria Evans led the Bulldogs with 16 points while Sonora Dengokl followed with 12. Zip Scott corralled a career-high 10 rebounds while Brooke Jordan-Brown secured 11 boards in the game.

Ones to watch
UPSTATE – Popplewell is Upstate's leading rebounder, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game. She is also the team's second leading scorer and is just 55 points shy of the 1,000 career points club. Brianna Lewis continues to lead the Spartans offensively and averages 15.2 points a game, which is sixth-best in the Big South. As team, Upstate ranks second in the league in blocked shots with 105 total and 4.2 a game, led by Barrett Herring who averages 1.6 a game and Quadijah Moore who averages 1.4 a game.

UNC Asheville – Sonora Dengokl has now scored in double-digits 19 times this season while Nadiria Evans has accomplished the feat 18 times. The duo has scored in double-digits in seven straight games. Brooke Jordan-Brown has averaged 12.3 rebounds per game since Big South Conference play began on December 28. Jordan-Brown is 15th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game, 25th in total rebounds per game and 16th in total rebounds.

UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans continue on the road next week and will face Radford on Tuesday for a 6:00 p.m. tipoff.

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

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