SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball started off the 2022-2023 season on a positive note, as the fresh-faced Spartan team collected a 69-51 win over Southern Wesleyan at home on Monday night. Head coach Jason Williams soaked in what was not only the first win of the season but was his first win as a Division I head coach. 

The first quarter gave fans the impression this game would be an even match with the two teams trading off points for the first five minutes. SWU got on a hot streak, making a six-point run before head coach Jason Williams called a time out to reset. That timeout was just what Upstate needed as the Spartans not only tied the game 13-13 but took the lead for what would be the remainder of the game. The second quarter looked no different as the Spartans held the Warriors scoreless for five straight minutes while collecting another 10 points along the way. Despite getting another seven points in the quarter, the Warriors still went into halftime trailing the Spartans by 23 points.  

Emerging from halftime, the Spartans were back on offense with Isabella Geraci sinking a three-pointer while Nyla Walker scored a jumper off a fast break. SWU was only able to find the basket, scoring 11 points in the third quarter, while Upstate continued to hold on to their lead, adding 16 to the board before the final 10 minutes. The Spartans hit a game-high 30-point lead to start off the fourth quarter. Southern Wesleyan went on a seven-point run before Geraci reminded the Warriors that the Spartan offense was eager to score. Upstate left the court with a 69-51 win over Southern Wesleyan with multiple Spartans making their career debuts and several others posting new career highs.  

Head coach Jason Williams was pleased with the win saying, "Our kids did a tremendous job, just focusing on the things we've been putting an emphasis on all summer and fall long. Being able to play together, fixing our body language, having great touches on the floor, and stay connected as a group for 40 minutes. They're all learning. It's crazy we have a group on the floor that's all just trying to figure it out for the first time. Tonight, was an indication of what's to come. This team continues to improve and work hard . We have a great group of kids and I'm blessed to start my first year at upstate with this team".  

 
  
  
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 69; Southern Wesleyan 51 
Records: USC Upstate (1-0-0, 0-0-0 Big South); Southern Wesleyan (0-1-0, 0-0-0 CC) 
Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C. 
  
How It Happened 
First Quarter 

• The Spartans and the Warriors went shot-for-shot until the Warriors took the lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.  

• With the Warriors leading 13-7, Williams called a time out to regroup the Spartans and from that point on, regained control of the game. 

• Upstate came out of the time out and regained the lead with three and a half minutes left in the quarter and finished the first quarter leading 23-15. 

Second Quarter 

• Southern Wesleyan looked to stunt the Spartans lead, posting two points right out of the break, but was quickly shut down by a combination of consistent offense and smart defense.  

• Upstate scored another 10 points, extending their lead by 20, before the Warriors were able to get to the basket with three minutes remaining before half.  

• By half time, the Spartans had a commanding 23–point lead as the scoreboard read 47-24. 

Third Quarter 

• Upstate hit its stride following the break as the Spartans pushed their lead to a game to 29 points with the score being 54-25 just three minutes into the third quarter.  

• The Spartans continued to lead the Warriors, outscoring them 16-11 in the third quarter and entering the fourth quarter comfortably with a score of 63-35. 

Fourth Quarter 

• The Spartans reached their peak with a 30-point lead, less than a minute into the fourth quarter.  

• Southern Wesleyan posted a consecutive nine-points to trim down the Spartans lead. 

• Isabella Geraci and Rebekah Gordon kept the Spartans ahead by over 20 points with less than five minutes left.  

• Regardless of SWU notching the final point of the game to reach 51 points, the Spartans emerged victorious for the first time this season. 

  
Notable 

• This is the first home opener that Upstate has won since the 2019 season when the Spartans beat Florida A&M University 74-61. 

• Tonight's win was Upstate's second over Southern Wesleyan but was the 14th win Jason Williams has had over the Warriors 

• Cali Levine made her college debut tonight, posting 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. 

• Nyla Walker made her college debut tonight, posting 12 points, five rebounds, and two assists while also having a 100% FG percentage.   

• Talia Roldan tied her career high of 10 rebounds, originally set 12/19/2021 against Hendrix. 

• Rebekah Gordon set a new career high of nine points, surpassing her original career high of 6 set 12/7/21 against Oakland. 

UP Next for the Spartans 

The Spartans will travel to Morgantown, West Virginia to take on West Virginia University on Thursday, November 10th.    

  
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