SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team fell 88-57 to Gardner-Webb on Saturday afternoon inside the Eddie and Anne Payne arena.
 
Less than three-minutes into the game USC Upstate (10-15, 5-7) held a 5-3 lead over Gardner-Webb (9-14, 5-6) after a transition three-pointer by Tommy Bruner (Columbia, S.C.). Moments later Ludovic Dufeal made a layup to tie the game at five. The Runnin' Bulldogs maintained a five-point lead over the next few moments.
 
The Spartan offense stuck around and kept the game close throughout the majority of the first half. Over the final 7:22 of the first half Gardner-Webb went on a 23-5 run to take a 47-25 advantage into the halftime intermission.
 
Bruner led the Spartans with 10-points in the opening half. Nate Johnson led all scorers with 12-points and Dufeal contributed 11-points to the Runnin' Bulldogs lead.
 
Throughout the second half the Spartans continued to fight and Everette Hammond (Silver Springs, Md.) had a 6-0 run with 14:08 to play in the half. Over the final 14-minutes of action the two squads went shot-for-shot with one another with Gardner-Webb ending on a bit of a run late to finish with 88-points.

Notes
 
Upstate- Hammond's 18-second half points led the Spartans offensively on Saturday afternoon. A dozen of Hammond's 18-points came at the free throw line. Bruner finished with 13-points in the game, followed by Thomas Booker's 8-point, 8-rebound effort.
 
Gardner-Webb – Five Gardner-Webb players finished in double-figures, Jaheam Cornwall led all scorers with 21-points and 8-rebounds in the contest. Nate Johnson contributed 17-points, Eric Jamison added 16-points, Justin Jenkins finished with 12-points and Dufeal ended with 11-points to round out the scoring.
 
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans will be back at home this Monday night against Charleston Southern. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside the G.B. Hodge Center. For tickets Buy Here

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