SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball dropped its third home game of season as the Spartans fell 69-48 to the Royals of Queens University on Tuesday afternoon. Rebekah Gordon recorded the first 20+ point game of the season for the Spartans as she posted 21 points and a career-high 10 made free throws.  

Upstate was able to get on the board first as Gordon scored back-to-back buckets to give Upstate an early four-point lead. The Spartans held the lead for the first six minutes of play until Queens hit a three-pointer to make the game 7-6 in favor of the visitors. The game was tied up at nine apiece with less than 90 seconds to go in the first quarter and Upstate would end up trailing 13-11 at the end of the first 10 minutes. In the first quarter, Gordon knocked down six points, going 50% for field goals while garnering three rebounds. 

A made free throw from Johnson to start the second quarter put the game within one before Queens posted four points to make the game 17-12. Geraci made two free throws to help cut away at the Royals' lead before Queens could extend its lead to six. Upstate was able to keep Queens within six points through the second quarter to finish the first half trailing 26-20. Geraci and Gordon recorded four points each; Geraci also earned four rebounds while AC Markham and Vera Soderblom tallied three each.  

Coming out of the break, Gordon hit a three-pointer to put the game within five just before scoring a layup to reel the game back within three. The Royals were able to get to a 10-point lead with just under six and a half left in the third quarter. Upstate continued to chip away at the Royals' lead but went into the fourth quarter trailing 45-32. Gordon continued to lead Upstate as she knocked down nine points, bringing her game total to 19 with 10 minutes remaining. Gordon went 1-1 for three pointers while going 4-4 for free throws.  

In the final 10 minutes, Upstate constantly tried to keep the game within reach. Nyla Walker was able to put away four points while Gordon, Markham, Johnson, Geraci, Cali Levine, and Sofia Allen all posted two points. Courtney Turner earned her first career-block while also collecting two rebounds. Despite their valiant effort, the Spartans fell 69-48.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 48; Queens 69 
Records: USC Upstate (3-8, 0-0 Big South) vs. Queens (5-6, 0-0 ASUN)  
Location: G. B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C. 
   

Notable 

• Rebekah Gordon set a new career-high for points scored with the 21 she scored tonight. 

• Gordon is the first Spartans this season to have a 20+ point game.  

• Gordon also set a new career high for blocks (2) and free-throws made (10). 

• Johnson set a new season-high with four assists.  

• Upstate set a new season-high for free throws made (20) and free throws attempted (31) as well as tied its season-high for blocked shots (4). 

UP Next for the Spartans 

Upstate will take a break for the holidays and will resume play on December 29th to open Big South Conference play with Winthrop in Rock Hill, S.C.             

  
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