ORANGEBURG, S.C. – On the road for the final time in a three-game slate away from home to open the season, USC Upstate women's basketball picked up its first win of the new campaign as it turned away a South Carolina State comeback attempt late in the fourth quarter of a 60-52 triumph.
 
The Spartans fueled their victory behind a 52.6 percent shooting clip from beyond the arc, finishing the night 10-of-19 from three. Upstate's 10 made three-pointers are the most in a game since February 2022. Redshirt sophomore guard Aubrie Kierscht knocked down five of the team's makes from long range, one shy of her career high, as she poured in 16 markers, her high scoring total in an Upstate uniform.
 
Joining Kierscht in double-figures, redshirt freshman guard Cassie Gallagher posted a career-high 13 points as she scored in double-figures for the second straight contest. She drained three attempts from beyond the arc as she and Kierscht combined to shoot 8-of-15 from three Wednesday.
 
Game Information
Score: USC Upstate 60; South Carolina State 52
Records: USC Upstate (1-2; 0-0 Big South); South Carolina State (1-2; 0-0 MEAC)
Location: SHM Memorial Center | Orangeburg, S.C.
 
How It Happened
First Quarter

• Driving the lane and earning her way to the free throw line, Jeni Levine opened the game's scoring as she knocked down a pair from the line, starting her own scoring stretch. She'd score seven of the Spartans' first eight markers, snapping South Carolina State's lone extended scoring stretch with a three from the wing.
• Out of the media stoppage, Rebekah Gordon drained a pair of attempts from the charity stripe to give Upstate its longest scoring run (six points) of the first quarter. Answering a Bulldog three, Cassie Gallagher reeled off four straight points for the Spartans to build its advantage. Closing the quarter's scoring, Aubrie Kierscht drained a trey from the corner to create the six-point lead.

 
Second Quarter

• Following a South Carolina State layup to begin the new period, Upstate fashioned its longest scoring stretch of the half with 10 consecutive markers, fueled by four different Spartans scoring. During its run, the Spartans held the Bulldogs without a field goal make (0-for-8) for over eight minutes.
• Closing the half, Upstate rose up and hit twice from long range, further increasing its advantage into the locker room. Gallagher, putting her at 10 markers for the half, and Kierscht knocked down the treys with Kierscht's three beating the buzzer.

 
Third Quarter

• Tacking onto the Spartans' lead, Gordon knocked down the first field goal of the second half, pushing the Upstate advantage to 17. South Carolina State countered with the next six points, scoring its final four of the run from the free throw line. Kierscht broke the scoring stretch with a three before the Bulldogs hit three more free throws to trim the lead to 11.
• After ending another lengthy drought without a field goal (over four minutes), South Carolina State cut the Spartan lead to nine with 2:46 to play in the quarter. Answering once again for the Spartans, Kierscht strung together seven straight points, knocking down a pair of threes, converting an and-one following the second. Upstate wrapped the period with a 15-point advantage.

 
Fourth Quarter

• Opening the final frame much like the third, Gallagher hit the first field goal of the quarter, knocking down a corner three. South Carolina State again rebutted with a 6-0 scoring run before the next Upstate make, a Vera Soderblom layup, ended the run.
• Attempting a comeback as they cut the Upstate advantage into single digits, the Bulldogs help the Spartans without a field goal for the final two minutes of regulation, outscoring them 8-2 over that period.

Notable

• Hitting 10 three-pointers Wednesday evening, the Spartans' single-game total marked its most in a game since Feb. 8, 2022, when Upstate knocked down 10 triples against Winthrop.
• Knocking down five of Upstate's 10 three-pointers, Aubrie Kierscht finished the night one made three-pointer shy of her career high in the category. Dropping 16 points, adding an and-one conversion off her final trey, she ended the evening two points shy of her career-high scoring output with her best scoring output in a Spartan uniform.

Up Next for the Spartans
Back at the G.B. Hodge Center for the first time during the 2024-25 season, USC Upstate hosts Western Carolina for a Saturday matinee. Tip-off between the Spartans and Catamounts is set for 2 p.m. ET.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!