SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Venturing across the Mississippi River for the second and final time in 2024-25, USC Upstate women's basketball heads back to the Hawkeye State for a first-time meeting with Drake Monday. The game starts a week of Education Day games for the Spartans to close non-conference play as tip-off is set for noon ET.
 
Monday's Matchup
December 16, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (2-9; 0-0 Big South) at Drake (4-5; 0-0 Missouri Valley)
Knapp Center | Des Moines, Iowa
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Catch head coach Jason Williams weekly on Fox Sports Spartanburg every Monday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (2-9; 0-0 Big South); Drake (4-5; 0-0 Missouri Valley)
Series: First Meeting
Last Five Meetings: First Meeting
 
Last Times Out
December 5, 2024: No. 13 Kansas State 110; USC Upstate 24
December 12, 2024: Drake 82; North Dakota 63
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Behind a 50.0 percent shooting performance, freshman forward Ava Miller notched a career-best seven points and three made field goals versus No. 13 Kansas State, leading the Spartans in scoring. The Kansas State game tied her seven points scored against Western Carolina on Nov. 16. Monday's game at Drake offers a unique opportunity for Miller as she faces her sister, Anna, for the first time in collegiate competition.
 
Drake: Averaging 18.2 points per game this season, senior guard Katie Dinnebier leads the Bulldogs in scoring, scoring in double-figures seven times enter Monday's game. Against the two Power-Four programs in Iowa (Iowa and Iowa State), she's put forth her best two career efforts, dropping 40 and 39 points, respectively, hitting seven and eight threes.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
In another Education Day contest to close non-conference play, USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center Thursday morning. The Spartans host Lees-McRae for an 11 a.m. ET tip-off.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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