Thursday's MatchUP
December 29, 2022 | 5:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. Winthrop (5-8; 0-0 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
Series History
Thursday's meeting between two Big South rivals USC Upstate and Winthrop marks the 12^th meeting between the two programs in the Spartans' Division I era (2007-pres.). The Eagles have won each meeting in a series that dates back to 2009, but the Spartans did force overtime in the series' previous meeting at the G.B. Hodge Center last January.
 
Last Time Out
December 20, 2022: Kennesaw State 65; USC Upstate 56
December 21, 2022: Duquesne 74; Winthrop 58
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Leading a trio of double-figure scorers against Kennesaw State with 19 points, sophomore guard Jordan Gainey notched his ninth double-figure scoring game of the season and his sixth scoring 15 or more points. He enters league play ranked fourth in the Big South in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game, scoring 20 or more points on four occasions, a total that ranks third in the conference this season.
 
Winthrop: Averaging 17.9 points per game this season, forward Kelton Talford enters Thursday's game ranked third in the Big South in scoring while ranking second in the league in rebounding, averaging 7.9 rebounds per game. Leading to his scoring total, he ranks third in the NCAA in field goal percentage, shooting 74.1 percent (83-of-112) from the field.
 
UP Next for the Spartans
Following its Big South home opener, Upstate hits the road in league play for the first time with a trip to Charleston Southern Saturday. The Spartans and Buccaneers are slated for a 3 p.m. ET tip-off.
 
JOIN UP
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CHEER ON THE SPARTANS AT THE HODGE!
USC Upstate is offering a variety of ways for fans to watch Upstate Basketball this season! Tickets can be purchased through ticketreturn.com and options include courtside seats, season packages, two new mini-plan offerings, group packages, and individual game tickets. Click here to order your tickets.
 
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