SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After alternating between playing at home and playing on the road over the past eight games, USC Upstate men's basketball embarks on its lone multi-game road swing during Big South Conference play as it begins the stretch as part of a men's and women's basketball doubleheader Saturday at Gardner-Webb.
Saturday's Matchup
January 27, 2024 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (6-13; 1-5 Big South) at Gardner-Webb (9-12; 4-2 Big South)
Paul Porter Arena | Spartanburg, S.C.
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the Fox Sports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Mondays at 4:15 p.m. live from Sugar-n-Spice (212 S. Pine St., Spartanburg) with Coach Dick Cox; Tuesdays at 4:20 p.m. with the voice of Spartans, Ryan Clary, on Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (6-13; 1-5 Big South); Gardner-Webb (9-12; 4-2 Big South)
Series: Gardner-Webb leads 8-6
Last Five Meetings: March 3, 2023 (UPST 77; GWU 76); Feb. 25, 2023 (UPST 75; GWU 69); Jan. 25, 2023 (GWU 78; UPST 66); Feb. 26, 2022 (UPST 72; GWU 70); Jan. 19, 2022 (UPST 74; GWU 58)
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Earning his way into the starting lineup at the beginning of Big South Conference play, junior forward
Patrick Iriel has built upon his efficient shooting from non-conference play—finishing 9-for-9 from the field—into league play as he enters Wednesday shooting 81.8 percent (9-of-11) against Big South competition. He comes off his highest-volume efficiency shooting game against High Point where he was perfect from the floor, sinking a career-best four field goals on his way to a career-high-tying eight points.
Gardner-Webb: Leading the Runnin' Bulldogs to a win over Longwood—a game that saw Gardner-Webb set the Big South single-game record for three-point field goal percentage (92.3 percent; 12-of-13)—senior guard DQ Nicholas led all scorers with a season-high 20 points. His scoring total improved his streak of games scoring in double-figures to five as he leads all Runnin' Bulldogs in scoring during league play, averaging 13.7 points per contest.
Last Time Out
January 24, 2024:
High Point 78; USC Upstate 67
January 24, 2024:
Gardner-Webb 76; Longwood 64
Up Next for the Spartans
For the first time during Big South play, Upstate remains on the road to complete the team's longest road swing during conference play next Wednesday. The Spartans take the short trip to another regional rival, Presbyterian, meeting the Blue Hose for a 7 p.m. ET tilt.
Join us for the Spartan Winter Golf Classic supporting the Upstate Athletic Fund
The USC Upstate Athletic Fund will host the Spartan Winter Golf Classic on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Woodfin Ridge Golf Club in Inman, S.C. The Spartan Winter Golf Classic is a signature event on the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) calendar with proceeds directly benefiting Spartan athletics and the on-field efforts of its student-athletes. Registration and sponsorship information is now available online, click here for complete details.
USC Upstate sponsoring I-26 Rivalry Canned Food Drive presented by Ingles
Help the Spartans score three bonus points in the yearlong rivalry series against UNC Asheville, the Ingles I-26 Rivalry, by donating canned and non-perishable food items when you attend home events through Saturday, February 10! Donations are accepted at the Hodge Center every day including gamedays and look for more Ingles store drop-off locations and special incentives for donations on our @UpstateSpartans social media accounts! All donations support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg.
Connect with the Spartans
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics
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