SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball extended its four-game home winning streak with a 66-55 win over the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville on Saturday afternoon. Isabella Geraci had her ninth game scoring in double-figures with 14-points while Rebekah Gordon had her seventh game (13), and Zora Fray-Chinn had her third game (10). 

After the game went scoreless for over three minutes, UNC Asheville was able to get on the board with a pair of free-throws. The Spartans quickly responded with a three to take the lead for the first time. Upstate was able to get a jump on UNC Asheville as they went on an eight-point run just before the quarter ended to make the game 11-7. Geraci led the team with five points while AC Markham recorded four rebounds. As a team, Upstate went 100% from the free throw line.  

UNC Asheville was able to get the first points in the second quarter but the Spartans kept pushing their offense. Upstate went on a nine-point run in the first four minutes of the second quarter to establish a double-digit lead. With under a minute left in the half, Upstate was able to reach a 15-point lead over UNC Asheville. Gordon and Geraci recorded four points each while Gordon and Markham collected three rebounds each. Upstate went 58.8% for field goals (10-17) and scored 12 points in the paint.  

Coming out of the half, both teams exchanged baskets but USC Upstate maintained not only a lead but a lead in double-digits. At the media timeout, Upstate led by 15-points with under five minutes left in the quarter. Fray-Chinn helped Upstate hit a 17-point lead with under four minutes left with a three-pointer. Upstate finished the quarter with an eight-point run to go into the final 10 minutes with a 20-point lead. Gordon led Upstate through the quarter with seven points while Markham collected another three rebounds. The Spartans shot 66.7% from the field (6-9) while also going 66.7% for three-pointers (2-3), and 57.1% for free throws (4-7). 

To the start the final 10 minutes, UNC Asheville went on a nine-point run to make the game 52-41. Upstate was able to keep battling and maintain a 13-point lead with less than four minutes left in the game. In the final two minutes, Upstate was able to go on a six-point run to make the game 66-50. UNC Asheville was able to get the final points of the game, but it was Upstate who was able to come out on top. Geraci finished the game strong, posting five points and four rebounds in the final quarter. Upstate went 100% for free-throws in the final quarter (6-6) along with going 50.0% for three-pointers (2-4).  

Post Game Interview: Jason Williams Postgame Interview - Jan. 21 vs. UNC Asheville - YouTube 

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 66: UNC Asheville 55 
Records: USC Upstate (8-9, 5-2 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (6-13, 2-6 Big South)     

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

How It Happened:  

First Quarter:  

• UNC Asheville got on the board first with two made free throws to which Upstate responded with a three-pointer from Geraci.  

• The Bulldogs hit a pull up jumper in the paint to regain the lead just before the Spartans went on an eight-point run to make the game 11-4 in favor of the host team.  

• UNC Asheville tallied the last points of the quarter with a three-pointer to finish the first quarter.  

Second Quarter:  

• The Bulldogs started the second quarter with a layup to bring the game within two points.  

• Upstate went on a nine-point run to make the game 20-9 with six minutes left in the quarter.  

• UNC Asheville interrupted the run with a jump shot to put the game within single digits. 

• With three minutes remaining, Upstate was able to extend its lead to 13 points (28-15).  

• Just before the quarter finished, Upstate sat with a 15-point lead with 50 seconds left before the break.  

• The Spartans went into the break leading 34-22.  

Third Quarter:  

• Coming out of the break, UNC Asheville hit a three-pointer which was quickly followed by a jump shot outside the paint from Geraci.  

• At the media timeout, Upstate led the game with a 15-point lead (41-26) with under five minutes remaining in the quarter.  

• Upstate was able to get a 17-point lead with just under four minutes left in the quarter after Fray-Chinn hit a three.  

• UNC Asheville was able to cut the Spartans' lead back to 13-points with two and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.  

• The Spartans finished the quarter on an eight-point run to have a 20-point lead going into the final 10 minutes (52-32).  

Fourth Quarter:  

• UNC Asheville started the final quarter with a nine-point run to make the game 52-41 with just over six minutes remaining in the game.  

• After trading buckets back and forth, Upstate continued to lead UNC Asheville by 13-points with under four minutes in the quarter (58-45).  

• The Bulldogs posted five points to put the game within 10-points with just over two minutes on the clock.  

• Upstate responded with six points to extend its lead to 16-points with under a minute (66-50). 

• UNC Asheville was able to score the final points of the game to reach 55 points while Upstate walked away with the 66-point win.  
     

Notable 

• AC Markham tied her season-highs for rebounds (10), assists (4), steals (2), and blocks (2). 

• Vera Soderblom scored the first free-throws of her college career with the two she made against UNC Asheville.  

• Trinity Johnson tied her season-high for assists (5) while Talia Roldan and Jeni Levine tied their season-highs for steals (2).  

• Zora Fray-Chinn tied her season-high for three-pointers (2) while setting a new season-high with four field goals.  

• The last time Upstate had three Spartans scoring in double-figures was against Morehead State (12/12/22). 

• Upstate hit a new season-high for assists with the 17 it recorded against UNC Asheville. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

Upstate sets its sights on top Big South conference opponent, Gardner-Webb, as the Spartans will host the Runnin' Bulldogs on Wednesday evening. The Spartans will then begin the second half of their conference slate with a road trip to Radford on Saturday afternoon.  

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

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