SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The USC Upstate women's basketball program shifted to a 10-5 Big South record after a late 67-61 loss to Winthrop in the G.B. Hodge Center on Saturday afternoon. During the contest, senior Trinity Johnson reached a Big South record as she became one of the three Big South women's basketball players to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. 

After concluding the pregame senior day celebration, Upstate was locked in and back to business to take on Winthrop in the final home contest of the season. The Spartans were able to outscore the Eagles, 18-15 after going 63.6% from the field, 50.0% from the three-point arc, and 100.0% from the free throw line. After a spotless first quarter, Johnson led the team through the first quarter with six points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-1 FT). Johnson also made two assists and had one rebound. Fellow seniors, Dakota Reeves and Isabell West also collected two rebounds as did Zora Fray-Chinn.  

Upstate's offense remained hot through the second quarter, scoring 13 points while holding Winthrop's offense to single-digit points (9). Isabell West scored four points as did Rebekah Gordon to help the Spartans retain their lead going into the halftime break. The Spartans for the second straight quarter went 100.0% from the free throw line to maintain an edge over the Eagles. Upstate also scored more point in the paint than Winthrop (8-4) as well as held better shooting percentages (35.7% FG- 33.3% FG). 

Coming out of the halftime break, Winthrop went on a scoring run that tied took the lead 40-39 with under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Spartans didn't panic and instead stacked 11 points, compared to the Eagles' four, to reclaim the lead before the final quarter (50-44). Despite the Eagles scoring one more point in the third quarter than the Spartans, Upstate held the better shooting percentage as it went 50.0% from the field compared to Winthrop's 43.8%. Yet again, the Spartans capitalized on their free points as Johnson went 4-4 from the line to maintain Upstate's 100.0% free throw percentage. Johnson scored six of Upstate's 19 third quarter points while West contributed four and Gordon led the team in rebounds with three.  

In the final quarter, the Spartans struggled to find success getting to the basket but were able to maintain their 100.0% free throw percentage through to the end of the game. After 11 points for Upstate and 23 points for Winthrop, the Spartans fell 67-61 to cap the season's home games. Johnson yet again tallied six points to bring her total to 18, while also collecting four rebounds, making three steals, and being credited with six assists. West finished the game with seven rebounds, 12 points, three assists, and one block. The final senior of the night Dakota Reeves finished with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 61; Winthrop 67 
Records: USC Upstate (15-13; 10-5 Big South) vs. Winthrop (13-14; 7-7 Big South)  
Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.     

How It Happened: 

First Quarter: Upstate 18; Winthrop 15 

• The game began with one free throw for Upstate after a technical foul was issued on Winthrop. Upstate kept its momentum going, outscoring the Eagles 5-4 in the first three and a half minutes. 

• Upstate continued to push on, stacking seven points, compared to Winthrop's four, to lead the Eagles 13-8 with under five minutes left in the quarter. 

• The Eagles found some momentum on offense and were able to tie the game 15-15 with under two minutes left in the first quarter after stacking seven points while the Spartans collected two.  

• Upstate scored the last points of the quarter from distance to hold a three-point lead over Winthrop after the first 10 minutes.  

Second Quarter: Upstate 31; Winthrop 24 

• Upstate outscored Winthrop 5-2 the first few minutes of the second quarter before a near scoreless two minutes commenced.  

• The next two minutes saw six points for Upstate and another four for Winthrop to make the game 29-21 before another nearly three minutes of scoreless play.  

• In the final minute and a half of the half, Winthrop outscored Upstate by only one point and as a result, the Spartans led by seven at the break.  

Third Quarter: Upstate 50; Winthrop 44 

• Coming out of the break, Upstate stacked eight points compared to Winthrop's five points to reach a 10-point lead in the first four minutes of the quarter.  

• Over the next three minutes, the Eagles went on an 11-point scoring run to take the lead (40-39). 

• The two teams battled over the lead in the next two minutes as Upstate scored five points and Winthrop scored four to make it a 44-44 game.  

• In the final 90 seconds, Upstate held Winthrop scoreless while scoring six points to lead 50-44 going into the final quarter.  

Fourth Quarter: Upstate 61; Winthrop 67 

• Upstate was able to find the basket enough to hold off Winthrop's offense with five points in the first five minutes while the Eagles stacked nine (55-53). 

• Winthrop hit the lead-stealing three with just under four minutes remaining in the game.  

• Both teams exchanged points for the next two and half minutes with Winthrop leading by one going into the final 70 seconds (60-59). 

• The Eagles scored seven points, six of which came from free throws, in the final plays of the game while Upstate made two free throws for a 67-61 finish.  

Notable 

• Trinity Johnson led the Spartans on offense with 18 points for her 14th game of the season scoring in double figures.  

• Johnson also had her 22nd game of the season leading the team in assists with six against the Eagles.  

• Isabell West also was a top scorer against Winthrop with 12 points for her 17th game of the season scoring in double figures.  

• Upstate hasn't lost back-to-back games since Dec 18th & 20th (vs. UNCG, vs. Georgia Tech). 

• Upstate tied its season high for assists with 16, which was previously set against North Florida (11/25/23). 

Senior Recognition:  

Dakota Reeves is a one-year Spartan, graduating with her Master's degree in exercise science. During her time as a Spartan, Reeves made 27 game starts, racking up 203 points, 74 rebounds, 24 assists, and 21 steals. Upon graduation, Dakota plans to attend athletic training school and earn her master's in athletic training.  

Isabell West is a one-year Spartan, graduating with her Bachelor's in graphic design. During her time as a Spartan, West appeared in 27 games stacking 285 points, 181 rebounds, 26 steals, 18 blocks, and 16 assists. After also spending one season at Murray State, she finishes her career totaling 308 points, 200 rebounds, 29 steals, 19 blocks, and 18 assists. Upon graduation, West plans to stay in South Carolina and find a job in graphic design.  

Trinity Johnson is a two-year senior, graduating with her Master's of science in business analytics. During her time as a Spartan, Johnson appeared in 48 games, making 45 game starts. Johnson finishes her time as a Spartan with 478 points, 221 rebounds, 185 assists, 94 steals, and five blocks. The seasoned veteran finishes her collegiate career with 1,391 points, 525 rebounds, 497 assists, 240 steals, and eight blocked shots. Upon graduation, Trinity plans to move back to Columbia, S.C. and find a job within the actuarial career field. 

Up Next for the Spartans  
USC Upstate women's basketball will play its final home game of the season on Saturday afternoon as the Eagles of Winthrop University come to the G.B. Hodge Center.  

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