SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball fell 53-48 on Wednesday night following the recognition of its two graduating seniors. Senior Isabella Geraci showed out, posting a career-high 23 points over the Eagles while Rebekah Gordon scored in double digits for the 11th time this season (10 pts.). 

Upstate started strong with a seven-point run in the first quarter to lead the Eagles early. Talia Roldan led the Spartans in the first quarter with three points while Isabella Geraci and Rebekah Gordon had two apiece. Geraci also led Upstate with four rebounds; Roldan and Trinity Johnson had three rebounds each.  

The Spartans continued to lead the Eagles through the second quarter and make it to the break leading 19-18. Geraci found her groove in the second quarter as she posted eight points, going 3-4 for field goals and 2-2 for free throws. Gordon and Markham contributed two points each as well to Upstate's 12 points in the second quarter.  

Coming out of the break, the Spartans lost the lead but were able to keep the game within reach. Gordon led the team through the quarter with four points while Roldan, Johnson, and Geraci all contributed three points each. Johnson recorded two rebounds alongside Roldan, Markham, Geraci, and Gordon all had one.  

In the final 10 minutes, the Spartans were able to reclaim the lead early in the quarter but were unable to hold it till the end. The fourth quarter brought 10 points for Geraci, bringing her total to 23 on the day. Gordon and Markham finished the game with two more rebounds. Upstate outshot (17-13) and outrebounded (9-8) Winthrop in the final quarter including 10 points in the paint.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 48; Winthrop 53 
Records: USC Upstate (9-15, 6-7 Big South) vs. Winthrop (7-17, 5-8 Big South)  

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

How It Happened:   

First Quarter:   

• Winthrop found the basket first, starting with a three-pointer.  

• Upstate went on a seven-point run to reclaim the lead and get some distance from Winthrop.  

• The Spartans and the Eagles went scoreless for nearly four minutes before Winthrop made two free throws to end the quarter with Upstate leading 7-5. 

Second Quarter: 

• The Eagles tied the game 7-7 to start the second quarter but the tied score was short lived as Upstate pushed the game 11-7.  

• Winthrop scored another five points compared to Upstate's three to make the game 14-12 in favor of the Spartans at the media time out.  

• Upstate trailed 18-14 going into the last two minutes of the half after Winthrop scored another four points.  

• The Spartans pushed in the final two minutes of the half to regain the lead and go into halftime 19-18.  

Third Quarter: 

• To start the third quarter, the Eagles scored another four points to force the Spartans to trail 22-19.  

• Upstate was quick to find the basket to tie the game at 22 apiece.  

• The Spartans scored another five points compared to the Eagles' nine which caused Upstate to trail 31-29 at the media timeout.  

• Winthrop pushed its lead to five points with 0:47 left in the third quarter (35-30). 

• Two made free throws from Johnson brought the game within three points going into the last quarter. 

Fourth Quarter:  

• Winthrop extended its lead to five points just before Geraci scored and three as well as the and-one to give Upstate a one-point lead.  

• Before the media timeout, Upstate scored another two points while Winthrop scored another eight points to make the game 45-40 at the media timeout.  

• The next two minutes Upstate outscored Winthrop 6-4 to bring the game within three points (49-46). 

• Upstate scored one final layup to reach 48 points but Winthrop was able to score another four points, securing the 53-48 win.  
     

Notable 

• Isabella Geraci set a new career high for scoring (23), surpassing her previous high of 17 points originally set against Radford (1/4/23).  

• Geraci's 23 points are the most points a Spartan has scored in a single game this season.  

• Geraci also sets a new high for the Spartans for field goals made (9). 

• Tonight was Geraci's 10th game scoring in double figures and Gordon's 11th. 

• Roldan tied her season high with two made threes, which was previously set against Radford (1/4/23).  
   

Senior Spotlight:

Talia Roldan will graduate from USC Upstate with her bachelor's degree in health communication with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. During her time as a Spartan, Roldan appeared in 19 games, making six game starts. In a Spartan uniform, she has scored 95 points including 10 three-pointers and nine free throws as well as recorded 70 rebounds, been credited for 14 assists, made eight blocks, and had nine steals. In her college career, Roldan tallied a combined 218 points, 164 rebounds, 27 assists, 31 blocks, and 13 steals. Upon graduation, Roldan plans to find a management position within finance and possible coach alongside her father.  

Isabella Geraci will leave Upstate perusing her master's of business analytics to go along with her bachelor's in marketing. During her time as a Spartan, started all 22 games in the 2023 season, racking up 703 minutes of play. In a Spartan uniform, she has scored 204 points including 23 three-pointers and 49 free throws as well as recorded 160 rebounds, been credited for 31 assists, made three blocks, and had 37 steals. In her college career, Geraci tallied a combined 470 points, 370 rebounds, 120 steals, 97 assists, and eight blocks. Upon graduation, Geraci plans to finish her master's in business analytics and start her career working in sports marketing or sports analytics

Up Next for the Spartans 

The Spartans will replay Winthrop, tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 12th at 2:00 p.m. in Rock Hill, S.C. to finish the week. Following the Sunday match up, Upstate will turn its attention to Longwood on Wednesday and High Point on Saturday.  

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.  

Support Our Women's Basketball Team in the Play4Kay Free Throw Challenge 

Our team is proud to support the Kay Yow Cancer Fund by joining the 2023 Play4Kay National Free Throw Challenge! You can support our team by making a pledge for every free throw we make during the month of February or by making a one-time flat donation! Donate Here.  

 
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