SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Coming off the program's first WNIT appearance and entering the season with its highest preseason poll selection since joining the Big South Conference (2018-pres.), USC Upstate women's basketball begins its 2024-25 campaign Monday afternoon with its fifth trip to Lexington, Ky., as it meets Kentucky in a season opener for the second time in program history.
 
Monday's meeting between the Spartans and Wildcats is unique as the opener of the 2024-25 season sees Upstate match up with the program that welcomed it to Division I as Kentucky was Upstate's first D1 opponent following its transition ahead of the 2007-08 season. The latest game between the two clubs also marks the first time in the series the two sides have met in consecutive seasons.
 
Monday's Matchup
November 4, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South) at No. 22 Kentucky (0-0; 0-0 SEC)
Memorial Coliseum | Lexington, Ky.
 
TV: SECN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South); No. 22 Kentucky (0-0; 0-0 SEC)
Series: Kentucky leads 4-0
Last Five Meetings: Nov. 11, 2023 (UK 82; UPST 54); Dec. 19, 2021 (UK 67; UPST 44); Nov. 25, 2012 (UK 100; UPST 34); Nov. 10, 2007 (UK 74; UPST 59)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Returning for her third season in a Spartan uniform, senior forward Rebekah Gordon represents Upstate's leading returning scorer from last season's WNIT team. Over an average of 24.3 minutes per game, she averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest as she played in all 32 games, making 31 starts. The Spartans also see junior guard Jeni Levine (8.5 ppg) and senior forward AC Markham (5.8 ppg) round out the team's trio of returning starters from a year ago.
 
Kentucky: Joining the Wildcat program and new head coach Kenny Brooks as a graduate transfer after starring for Brooks at Virginia Tech, guard Georgia Amoore finds herself a Preseason First Team All-SEC selection in her first season in the league. A three-outlet All-American selection in 2023-24, Amoore finds herself on the Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year and Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Watch Lists entering the 2024-25 season.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Continuing a three-game road swing to open the new campaign, USC Upstate heads back to the Carolinas for each of its next two games away from home, returning to action next Saturday at UNC Greensboro. Tip-off in the "Battle of the Spartans' is set for 12 p.m. ET on Nov. 9.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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