Game Information
February 25th, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (10-18, 7-10 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (25-4, 17-0 Big South)
Paul Porter Arena | Boiling Springs, S.C.
TV: ESPN+ | South Carolina Upstate vs. Gardner-Webb
Stats: South Carolina Upstate at Gardner-Webb (statbroadcast.com)
Series History
USC Upstate and Gardner-Webb have an 10-game series history in which the Spartans trail 8-2 overall. The two teams originally met back in 2016 where Upstate fell 57-53 at home. Upstate trails through the series, going 4-1 at home, 4-1 on the road, and 6-2 in conference play. Most recently Upstate fell 81-56 at home to the Runnin' Bulldogs in January.
Last Time Out
February 22, 2023: USC Upstate 61; Presbyterian 56
February 22, 2023: Gardner-Webb 89; Longwood 72
Players to Watch
Upstate: Trinity Johnson scored a career-high 21 points over the Blue Hose, while Rebekah Gordon (14) and Isabella Geraci (10) were able to score in double-figures as well. For Johnson, this was her sixth game scoring in double-figures while for Geraci it was her 12th and for Gordon it was her 14th. Gordon has scored in double-figures in six of Upstate's last seven games (Presbyterian, Longwood, Winthrop, Charleston Southern, UNC Asheville, Campbell, High Point).
Upstate returned to the starting lineup of Jeni Levine, Trinity Johnson, Rebekah Gordon, Isabella Geraci and AC Markham to take on the Blue Hose. Geraci and Markham are the only two Spartans to start all 28 contests so far for the Spartans. Geraci leads the team in minutes played (876), three pointers (31), rebounds (192), and steals (52). Gordon helps lead the offense with 284 points, averaging 10.5 points per game and shooting .376% from the field. Along with Gordon, Geraci (274), Johnson (191), Roldan (119), Markham (172), Jeni Levine (114), and Fray-Chinn (108) all sit with triple digit points on the season.
Gardner-Webb: The Runnin' Bulldogs notched their 17th straight conference win over Longwood on Wednesday where Jhessyka Williams (21) and Alasia Smith (20) not only led the team in score but did so with 20+ points scored. Lauren Bevis (16) and Layken Cox (10) also scored in double-figures against the Lancers in the mid-week matchup. Smith led the team in rebounds with eight while Ki'Ari Cain also posted six rebounds and Williams led in assists with five. Williams leads Gardner-Webb in points (474), rebounds (253), free throws (122), and field goals (169).
Big South Standings:
Gardner-Webb (25-4, 17-0)
High Point (14-13, 12-5)
Campbell (15-13, 10-7)
Presbyterian (12-16, 8-9)
Radford (12-16, 8-9)
UNC Asheville (11-17, 7-10)
USC Upstate (10-18, 7-10)
Longwood (8-20, 7-10)
Winthrop (8-20, 6-11)
Charleston Southern (5-23, 3-14)
Up Next for the Spartans
Upstate will get ready for the Big South Basketball Championship set to start on March 1st. For more information about the Big South Basketball Championship click here.
CHEER ON THE SPARTANS AT THE HODGE!
Purchase your tickets for the final home game at the Hodge Center in February as well as tickets from the USC Upstate allotment for the Hercules Tires Big South Basketball Championships in Charlotte, March 1 - 5! Click here to order your tickets today!
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.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
Twitter | @UpstateWBB @UpstateSpartans
Instagram | @UpstateWBB @UpstateSpartans
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
Make a difference in the lives of USC Upstate student-athletes! Donate to the USC Upstate U Club today!
