GREENVILLE, N.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball program continued its three-game road stand to start the 2023-24 season with a 105-35 loss to the ECU Pirates on Thursday night in Greenville, N.C. 

The Spartans knew they were in for a battle as they would be taking on the 2022-2023 American Athletic Conference Champions. Upstate did well to contain the Pirates' offense, as the first three minutes went scoreless. Despite ECU scoring first off a free throw, the Spartans were able to not only get on the board but take the lead with two made free throws from Trinity Johnson. ECU reclaimed the lead with five minutes left in the first quarter and went on a 14-point run, forcing the Spartans to trail with under two minutes left in the first quarter. Johnson interrupted the Pirates scoring run, once again taking advantage of two awarded free throws. 

To start the second half, the Spartans found themselves trying to find a way to manage the conference champions as the Pirates went on a seven-point run. AC Markham battled to get a shot in the paint, looking to get some momentum for the Spartans. Upstate tried to manage the Pirates' defense through the third quarter while making their way successfully to the basket. Gracie Barnes chipped in five points to the Spartans' total while Maggie Brown contributed two as well. Going into the break, the Spartans trailed 51-13. 

Coming out of the break, Upstate maintained focused on improving on offense and defense and was able to post 12 points in the quarter. Johnson continued to come in clutch making the most of free throw opportunities, going 5-8 against ECU. Rebekah Gordon, AC Markham, Isabell West and Mae Afoa were all able to find the basket in the third quarter to contribute to the Spartans total.  

West found her stride in the fourth quarter, as she posted eight of Upstate's 10 points scored in the final quarter. Mae Afoa was able to score the other two points for the Spartans to finish, 105-35. Several Spartans were able to pick off the Pirates tonight as Johnson (2), Gordon (2), Dakota Reeves (3), and Jeni Levine (1) all earned steals. West is the first Spartan this season to find herself scoring in double figures with the 10 points she scored tonight.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 35: ECU 105 
Records: USC Upstate (0-2; 0-0 Big South); ECU (2-0; 0-0 American)  
Location: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum | Greenville, N.C.    

How It Happened: 

First Quarter: Upstate 4; ECU 18 

• The game sat scoreless for nearly the first three minutes until the Pirates capitalized on a free throw.  

• Trinity Johnson got Upstate on the board with a pair of free throws.  

• ECU went on a 14-point scoring run over the next seven minutes with two layups, seven free throws, and a three-pointer.  

• Johnson took advantage again of two free throws.  

• A jumper from distance for the Pirates finished the first quarter  

Second Quarter: Upstate 13; ECU 51 

• ECU started the second quarter with a seven-point scoring run. 

• AC Markham scored a driving layup to interrupt the Pirate's scoring.  

• The Pirates went on a 17-point run which was stopped by a three-pointer from Gracie Barnes. 

• In the final three minutes of the half the Spartans posted four points while the Pirates posted seven. 

Third Quarter: Upstate 25; ECU 84  

• The Pirates posted five points coming out of the break.  

• Trinity Johnson made one free throw to bring the Spartans to 14. 

• ECU continued to push on offense and put away eight points.  

• Rebekah Gordon had enough time to sink a pull up jumper, as well as slip in the zone for a turnaround jumper 40 seconds later. 

• ECU went on a seven-point run, forcing the Spartans to trail by 55 points.  

• Isabell West was able to make the second-chance layup to bring Upstate to 20. 

• The final three minutes of the quarter, Upstate was able to score five points while ECU scored eight.  

Fourth Quarter: Upstate 35; ECU 105 

• The fourth quarter started with two layups each from the Pirates and from Mae Afoa and Isabell West for Upstate. 

• West scored another two layups after the Pirates were able to sink one from distance and make a driving layup. 

• ECU tried to go on a scoring run once again with a layup and a made free throw but was stunted by West who made two free throws.  

• The final two minutes of the game ECU posted six points. 

Notable 

• This was the first ever meeting between the USC Upstate Spartans and the East Carolina Pirates. 

• Isabell West scored a career-high 10 points against ECU, surpassing her previous high of six set against Morehead St. (1/29/22), as well as tied her career-high for rebounds (6). 

• Mae Afoa tied her season-high for scoring with four points.  

• Gracie Barnes scored a career-high five points against ECU.  

• This is the first time Upstate has started the season with two losses since 2020. 

Up Next For the Spartans 

Upstate will continue to spend time on the road, taking on the University of Kentucky, Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Spartans will return home to host Lees-McRae on November 14th at 7:00 p.m. 

 
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