SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Beginning its two-game homestand to close its non-conference slate, USC Upstate men's basketball makes its return to the G.B. Hodge Center Wednesday evening, hosting South Carolina State for a 6 p.m. ET tip. The game is the Spartans' first Ingles NEXSTAR Game of the Week selection of the 2024-25 season, airing locally on WYCW-TV.
 
Wednesday's Matchup
December 18, 2024 | 6:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (4-9; 0-0 Big South) vs. South Carolina State (5-7; 0-0 MEAC)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Ingles Game of the Week (WYCW-TV)
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM (Saturday only) | Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Catch head coach Marty Richter weekly on Fox Sports Spartanburg every Tuesday at 3:20 p.m. ET.
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (4-9; 0-0 Big South); South Carolina State (5-7; 0-0 MEAC)
Series: USC Upstate leads 4-0
Last Five Meetings: Dec. 10, 2022 (UPST 89; SCST 84 [OT]); Nov. 23, 2021 (UPST 82; SCST 78); Dec. 18, 2019 (UPST 73; SCST 70); Dec. 15, 2018 (UPST 88; SCST 84)
 
Last Times Out
December 14, 2024: South Carolin 73; USC Upstate 53
December 14, 2024: Furman 68; South Carolina State 64
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Behind his first double-double in a Spartan uniform with 14 points and 13 rebounds versus South Carolina, junior forward Breylin Garcia captured his first career Big South Player of the Week award. He's the 11^th Spartan in the program's Division I era (2007-pres.) to earn Player of the Week recognition, the fifth player recognized by the Big South. On the season, he shoots 60.6 percent from the field, averaging 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
 
South Carolina State: The lone Bulldog scoring in double-figures this season, sophomore forward Drayton Jones averages 13.6 points per game. He's twice registered more than 20 points in a game, posting a career-high 34 points in South Carolina State's win over Charleston Southern on Dec. 9. Against the Buccaneers, he shot 76.5 percent from the field, converting 13-of-17 field goal attempts.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Closing out the homestand, the non-conference slate, and the calendar year, USC Upstate welcomes Youngstown State to the G.B. Hodge Center Saturday. The Spartans and Penguins tip off at 1 p.m. ET.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
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YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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