SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team finished their final home game of the regular season with a 69-58 loss to Gardner Webb University on Monday night at the G.B. Hodge Center.
 
"It was a disappointing loss. We had some mental breakdowns. We didn't do a good job on the boards in the second half." Upstate coach Stacey Palmore said, "We went from being the best team in the league with free throws and miss 12 tonight."
 
The Spartans defensive intensity kept the Bulldogs from making their first two baskets of the game. However, it was both teams that struggled to put up any points for the first 2:30 minutes of the game. A layup by Nevin Zink (Newton, Conn) ended the drought for the Spartans and gave them the momentum they needed to secure an early lead.
 
Though Gardner Webb continued to struggle to convert offensively, the Spartans gave up important defensive rebounds giving the Bulldogs multiple chances to score. The Bulldogs attempted to rework their offense by moving the ball more, but the Spartans would not let up. The Bulldogs worked hard to cut down the Spartan lead eventually coming within a single point at 7:48 in the first half.
 
Jacob Falko of the Bulldogs made a layup at 6:51 in the first half to help them take the lead from the Spartans. The Spartans' mistakes on the offense and confusion on the defensive end kept them from retaking the lead through halftime halftime. The Spartans ended the half down by six, 30-24.  
 
It was Josh Aldrich (Wilmington, NC) who stepped up in the second half on the offensive and defensive end with 8 rebounds and a single block. The Spartans failed to capitalize off their opportunities behind the charity line, missing 8 free throws in the second half.
 
The Spartans worked to cut the Bulldogs' lead but Gardner Webb returned each of the Spartans' baskets with one of their own. Upstate struggled to stop the Bulldogs from scoring in the second half, shooting 46.2 percent. Dalvin White (Norcross, GA) looked to score in the second half where he contributed all 13 of his points. However, the Spartans could not regain the lead to finish out the contest.
 
Upstate's leading scorer, Tommy Bruner (Columbia, SC) contributed 14 points. White finished with 13 points. Everette Hammond (Silver Spring, MD) had 12 points. Aldrich ended with 12 rebounds.
 
Jordan Sears of the Bulldogs finished with 18 points. Falko contributed 18 points to the contest.
 
UP next for the Spartans
The Spartans will hit the road with a trip to Charleston Southern on Wednesday evening. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.  

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