CLINTON, S.C. – Earlier this week the Spartans left the Templeton Center in defeat, tonight USC Upstate played consistently in both the first and second half and secured a 65-51 win against Presbyterian College.
 
The win ends a three-game losing skid against Big South opponents and the Spartans were able to split the season series against the Bluehose. The Spartans defense was on full display tonight as they held Presbyterian College to 22 percent shooting in the opening half of play.
 
USC Upstate won the opening tip and Josh Aldrich (Wilmington, N.C.) scored the first points of the game on a put back layup. At the 16:47 mark of the period, Everette Hammond (Silver Springs, Md.) went on a personal 7-0 run and the Spartans led 7-4 going into the first media timeout.
 
With 10:08 to play in the opening half, Dalvin White (Norcross, Ga.) hit three-pointer on a pass from Tommy Bruner (Columbia, S.C.) and the Spartans led 16-11. The Spartans offense got into a rhythm offensively going on a 13-2 run over the next three minutes of game time. Bruner's three-pointer with 1:25 to go in the period, put the Spartans up 32-17 going into the halftime intermission.
 
Presbyterian came out ready to go in the second half as they scored the first seven points of the period and forced USC Upstate to call a timeout. The timeout worked in the Spartans favor as Aldrich scored on an assist by Bruner. Another layup by Aldrich, and a pair of baskets by Khydarius Smith (Fort Mill, S.C.) put the Spartans up 40-26 with 14:09 to play.
 
With 12:25 to play in the game, Aldrich blocked Winston Hill and passed the ball up court to Hammond. Hammond found Smith for the fastbreak dunk and the Spartans maintained a 42-30 lead going into the under 12 media timeout.
 
At the 5:59 mark of the game, White hit a three-pointer as the Spartans increased their lead to 17-points over the Bluehose. Aldrich completed an old-fashioned three-point play, giving the Spartans a 63-44 edge with just 2:19 to play in the contest. Burner scored the final points of the game for the Spartans with a jumper in the paint.
 
Hammond led the Spartans with 13-points and four steals on the night. The junior guard also finished second on the team in rebounds and assists with four each. Aldrich tied his career high with 12-points on the night and he led the team with five rebounds. Smith tied his career high with 11-points off the bench and Bruner added 10-points in the victory. Bruner also led the team with eight assists on the night.
 
Presbyterian had a trio of players end the night in double-figures, with Rayshon Harrison leading the way with 20-points and 5-rebounds. Winston Hill added 12-points, while Owen McCormack added 11-points in the loss.
 
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans will stay on the road with a trip to Charleston Southern on Monday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.  

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