TIGERVILLE, S.C. – Closing out the team's three-game slate against SoCon programs, USC Upstate women's basketball couldn't carry its second-quarter comeback attempt into the second half, succumbing in an 81-53 decision Tuesday evening to Furman at Hayes Gym on the campus of North Greenville.
 
For the second time in three games, redshirt sophomore guard Aubrie Kierscht paced the Spartans in scoring, pouring in 12 points against the Paladins. She finished the night shooting 4-of-6 from the field with each of her makes coming from beyond the arc as both of her double-figure scoring games in 2024-25 featured four-plus made triples.
 
The first Spartan in nearly two seasons to accomplish the feat, senior forward Rebekah Gordon hauled in a game-high 13 rebounds versus Furman, giving her back-to-back double-digit rebounding games. Offensively, she dropped eight markers, bidding for a second consecutive double-double.
 
Game Information
Score: Furman 81; USC Upstate 53
Records: USC Upstate (1-4; 0-0 Big South); Furman (3-2; 0-0 SoCon)
Location: Hayes Gym | Tigerville, S.C.
 
How It Happened
First Quarter

• Answering an opening bucket from Furman, Rebekah Gordon notched the Spartans' first field goal, knotting the game. Responding to a Paladin free throw, AC Markham knocked down a three, delivering a two-point advantage for Upstate before Zora Fray-Chinn upped the lead to three with 5:44 to play in the quarter.
• Holding Upstate without a field goal for nearly five minutes as the quarter waned, Furman built its lead with a pair of 6-0 scoring runs. The runs sandwiched a Spartan free throw, building a 12-1 scoring stretch in favor of the hosts. Ava Miller snapped the second run with a pair of free throws before Jeni Levine's layup ended the drought from the field.

 
Second Quarter

• Beginning the new frame and adding to its lead, Furman tallied its first three points from the free throw line, growing its advantage to nine. Fray-Chinn knocked down the Spartans' first bucket of the period, trimming into the lead with Aubrie Kierscht knocking down a three to further cut into the advantage.
• Seeking to further whittle the Paladins' lead, Upstate closed the half by outscoring Furman 10-6, cutting the disadvantage to six at the break. Cassie Gallagher notched five markers to close the half with Gracie Barnes (two) and Gordon (three) adding the other points.

 
Third Quarter

• Pulling away, the Paladins began the second half with the day's longest scoring run, recording the first 20 points of the third quarter. Upstate cut the scoring run with a 4-0 scoring spurt, spurred by a three from Kierscht. The run sparked a 6-2 scoring stretch for the Spartans, cutting down the deficit.
• Fashioning another lengthy scoring run, Furman added an 8-0 scoring stretch as the third quarter closed. A pair of Spartan free throws ended the run, closing the frame.

 
Fourth Quarter

• Behind another pair of free throws, Upstate crafted a 4-0 scoring run spanning the quarter break. Gwen Jenkins added a pull-up jumper from inside the three-point line to add to the Spartans' scoring stretch.
• Responding to a 5-0 Furman run, the Spartans embarked on its longest scoring, posting a 10-0 scoring stretch. A pair of threes from Kierscht headlined the run with Gordon and Barnes adding the other two field goals.

 
Notable
Recording her second straight double-digit rebounding game, Rebekah Gordon is the first Spartan with 10 or more rebounds in consecutive games since Isabella Geraci on Dec. 12, 2022, and Dec. 14, 2022, against Morehead State and Montreat, respectively.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Upon the conclusion of its fourth road contest in five games to begin the 2024-25 season, USC Upstate kicks off its season-long four-game homestand Friday evening. The Spartans host Queens for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off.
 
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