SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball was back to winning ways as the Spartans downed the Longwood University Lancers on Saturday afternoon 55-42 at home. In the third quarter, senior Trinity Johnson was able to record her 1000th career point while AC Markham and Rebekah Gordon scored in double-figures once again this season. 

The first quarter got off to a slow start as the first four minutes went without a point from either the Spartans or the Lancers. Upstate got on the board first with two made free throws from AC Markham. Longwood was able to go on a seven-point run to force the Spartans to trail through the first quarter. Rebekah Gordon led the Spartans through the first quarter while Trinity Johnson led in rebounds (3). The Spartans went 75.0% from the free throw line in the first quarter (3-4). 

After trading points back and forth to start the second quarter, Upstate found its stride with a 10-point run to take the lead and get a three-point gap from the Lancers. Before halftime, Longwood would go on a run of its own, posting five points to make the game 21-19 going into halftime. Gordon once again posted four points in the second quarter, while Markham posted four points and four rebounds.  

Coming out of the break, Longwood tried to extend its lead, but the lead was short lived as Upstate went on a six-point run which featured two made free throws that would not only return the lead to the Spartans but would put Johnson over 1,000 career points. The Spartans and the Lancers would be tied three more times within the third quarter but Upstate was able to get the lead before going into the final quarter. Jeni Levine, Trinity Johnson, and Isabella Geraci all posted four points while Geraci also recorded five rebounds.  

Upstate kicked off the final quarter with a three-pointer to create a six-point lead. Longwood responded with five points to put the game within one. The Spartans gained some distance from the Lancers as they went on another 10-point run to make the game 50-38 with just under three minutes left. Upstate was able to reach a 13-point lead twice before the game ended. Johnson led the fourth quarter for the Spartans with five points while Gordon and Markham scored four respectively. Along with her four points, Markham recorded three rebounds as did Geraci. Upstate showed accuracy in the final quarter shooting 50.0% for fields goals, 50.0% for three pointers, and 62.5% for free throws.  

 
Post Game Interview

Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 55; Longwood 42 
Records: USC Upstate (7-9, 4-1 Big South) vs. Longwood (3-14, 2-4 Big South)  

Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C. 

How It Happened:  

First Quarter:  

• Upstate got the scoring started with two made free throws after over four minutes of scoreless play.  

• Longwood went on a seven-point run to take control of the game with just over two minutes left in the quarter. 

• Five points from the Spartans made the game 7-7 with under a minute left in the quarter. 

• The Lancers posted five more points to finish out the quarter and make the Spartans trail 12-7 after the first 10 minutes. 

Second Quarter:  

• The second quarter started with Longwood scoring another two points, but Upstate responded quickly with two more points of their own.  

• Upstate went on a 10-point run to reclaim the lead and make the game 19-16 with just over two minutes left before half.  

• The final points of the half were recorded by the Lancers as an additional five points were scored to make the score 21-19 in favor of the visitors going into the break. 

Third Quarter:  

• To start the second half, Longwood put two on the board just before Upstate put four on the board to tie the game 23-23.  

• Longwood made a four-point gap from the Spartans early in the third quarter. 

• Upstate scored a pull up jumper, a layup and two free throws to make the game 29-27.  

• In the final two minutes of the third quarter, the Spartans and the Lancers were tied twice including a 33-33-point tie with just over two minutes in the quarter. 

• The Spartans were able to take the lead with a three pointer from Jeni Levine, making the game 36-33 going into the final 10 minutes.  

Fourth Quarter:  

• Upstate used its third quarter momentum to get an early three in the fourth quarter.  

• The Lancers responded with five points, to put the game within a single point.  

• The Spartans then went on an 11-point run, to have a 12-point lead with 2:39 left on the game clock.  

• In an effort to battle back, Longwood made a second chance layup just before Johnson made three free throws.  

• Longwood scored one final layup to reach 42 points while Upstate also scored one more layup to secure the win with 55 points.  
     

Notable 

• Today's game was the fourth game AC Markham had scored in double-figures; this is also Markham's second double-double of the season.  

• This was Gordon's sixth game scoring in double-figures. 

• Isabella Geraci recorded a season-high for rebounds, surpassing her previous season-high of 11 set against UNC Greensboro. 

• Rebekah Gordon tied her season-high for field goals made (6) originally set against Morehead State. 

• Trinity Johnson set a new season-high for free throws attempted and free throws made (7-10). 

• Johnson also set a new high for assists (5) and tied her season-high for blocks (1). 

• Upstate is 3-0 at home during conference play. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

The Spartans will take a short drive to Clinton, S.C. to take on the Blue Hose of Presbyterian on Wednesday evening before hosting UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon.  

 
Connect with the Spartans 
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Twitter: @UpstateWBB 
Instagram: @upstatespartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans 

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