ATLANTA, GA. – The USC Upstate women's basketball program dropped its final game in the 2023 year with an 81-50 finish against Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon.  

Upstate knew it was in for a battle as it faced its only ACC competitor of the season. The Spartans were able to keep the game at a manageable distance through the first quarter as the Yellow Jackets established a 13-point lead. Zora Fray-Chinn came off the bench for the Spartans and led Upstate through the first quarter with six points after going 2-2 from distance. Rebekah Gordon was also able to find success from distance to help the Spartans go 50.0% from the three-point arch. Fray-Chinn also led the team in rebounds with two as did AC Markham with two of her own. 

The Spartans weren't able to find as much success going to the basket in the second quarter but were able to hold the Yellow Jackets to one of their lowest scoring quarters of the game. Gracie Barnes led the team in scoring in the second quarter with Jeni Levine and Fray-Chinn just behind her. Markham once again led the team with three boards while Fray-Chinn collected another two as well.  

Coming out of the half time break, Upstate continued to try to find some rhythm on offense against an ACC defense. Trinity Johnson was able to assist in finding that rhythm as she posted four points alongside Macy Wike who posted three. Isabell West was dominant under the basket, collecting three rebounds as well as earning one steal. The third quarter saw more points from the bench for the Spartans (7-5). 

Upstate found success in the fourth quarter as the Spartans not only outscored the Yellow Jackets, but recorded a game-high 21 points. West finished the game strong, contributing 10 points to Upstate's 21 in the final quarter. J. Levine contributed five points in the fourth quarter as well while Rebekah Gordon, Gracie Barnes, Johnson all posted two apiece. West also led the Spartans in rebounds with four and Fray-Chinn led in assists with two. Despite an exceptional last quarter push, the Spartans fell 81-50 to cap the non-conference portion of their schedule.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 50; Georgia Tech 81 
Records: USC Upstate (5-8; 0-0 Big South) vs. Georgia Tech (9-3; 0-0 ACC)   
Location: McCamish Pavilion | Atlanta, Ga.        

How It Happened: 

First Quarter: Upstate 13; Georgia Tech 26 

• Georgia Tech started the game seven unanswered points in the first three minutes until Gordon sent one from distance to get the Spartans on the board.  

• The next two minutes would see another seven points from the Yellow Jackets and two points from the Spartans to make the game 14-5 at the media timeout. 

• West made one from the three-point arch to bring Upstate to seven points going into the last three minutes of the first quarter while Georgia Tech tacked on two made three-pointers as well.  

• In the final three minutes of the first quarter both teams posted six points to make the game 26-13 in favor of the hosting Yellow Jackets.  

Second Quarter: Upstate 20; Georgia Tech 44 

• The second quarter started with a driving layup from Georgia Tech and a shot from distance from Barnes.  

• Georgia Tech then went on a 10-point scoring run which was interrupted by a step back jumper from J. Levine just before the media timeout.  

• Following the media timeout, there was a two-minute scoring drought.  

• The final three minutes of the first half saw another six points for the Yellow Jackets to leave them at 44 going into the break while a pair of made free throws from Fray-Chinn brought the Spartans' total to 20. 

Third Quarter: Upstate 29; Georgia Tech 69 

• Georgia Tech scored four points to kick off the third quarter but Upstate responded with a driving layup from Markham (48-22). 

• The Yellow Jackets then went on a seven-point scoring run, keeping Upstate at 22 points before Johnson snapped the run with a hook shot (55-24). 

• In the final minutes of the third quarter, Wike and Johnson brought the Spartans' total to 29 as the Yellow Jackets tallied another eight points to go into the final 10 minutes with 63 points.  

Fourth Quarter: Upstate 50; Georgia Tech 81 

• Georgia Tech started the fourth quarter with four points before Upstate went on a nine-point scoring run (67-38). 

• The Yellow Jackets were able to get back to scoring with six minutes left in the game, posting seven points compared to the Spartans' four.  

• In the final three minutes, Upstate was able to outscore Georgia Tech 8-7 but fell 81-50 at the final whistle.  

Notable 

• Isabell West had her fifth game of the season scoring in double figures with the 12 points she scored today.  

• West also tied her season-high for rebounds (8) for the fourth time this season.  

• Gracie Barnes made her second career start today with her first start being against Lees-McRae earlier this season (11/14/13). 

• Zora Fray-Chinn played a season-high 24 minutes, scored a season-high eight points, and tied her career-high for assists with three set last season against UNCG (11/23/22). 

• This was the first time Upstate has played Georgia Tech since 2017.  

Up Next for the Spartans  
The Spartans will take a break for the holidays and be back in action to begin Big South play at home against I-26 Rival UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7:00 p.m. before finishing the week in Rock Hill against Winthrop Saturday, Jan. 6 at 2:00 p.m. 

   
Support the Spartans  
USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center on Wednesday, January 3 to host I-26 Rival UNC Asheville at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tickets for all USC Upstate men's and women's basketball games are on sale now with tickets beginning at just $8! To order log into upstatespartans.com/tickets.     
   

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