RADFORD, VA. – The USC Upstate women's basketball program collected its second conference loss of the season as the Spartans started the back half of the Big South slate with a 67-61 overtime loss to top conference competitor, Radford.  

Upstate started strong, outscoring Radford 20-16 in the first quarter to force the hosting Highlanders to trail early on. Trinity Johnson led the Spartans through the first quarter with five points but she wasn't alone as Zora Fray-Chinn, Rebekah Gordon, and Isabell West scored four respectively. West had an impressive first quarter as she collected five of Upstate's nine boards in the first 20 minutes. Upstate was able to get more points in the paint (10-8), more second chance points (6-0), and more points off turnovers (2-0). The Spartans boasted a 50.0% field goal percentage as well as a 40.0% three-point percentage and a 100.0% free throw percentage.  

In the second quarter, the Spartans continued to dominate and outscore the Highlanders this time 14-10 to establish an eight-point lead going into halftime. West led the charge with six points and three rebounds, two of which were offensive. Reeves assisted on offense, contributing three points, one rebound, and two assists. Upstate continued to show its strength in percentages as it posted a 46.2% field goal percentage and a 50.0% free throw percentage. The Spartans remained dangerous in the paint thanks to West, scoring 10 points compared to the Highlanders' four. At the halftime break, West led the team with 10 points and eight rebounds while Fray-Chinn, Reeves, and Gordon all sat with six points apiece.  

The third quarter was the first time the hosting Highlanders were able to outscore the Spartans' offense. Upstate was able to stack another 10 points in the third quarter with West and Reeves scoring three points each and AC Markham and Jeni Levine scoring two each. West continued to rack up the rebounds with another three, bringing her to 11 rebounds before the fourth quarter. Despite a lower scoring quarter, Upstate was still able to get more second chance points and more points on the fast break.  

In the final quarter, the Highlanders were able to get hot and go on an eight-point scoring streak to bring the game within one point. One final made free throw late in the quarter for Radford tied the game 53-53 to send the game into overtime. Markham got some momentum late in the game as she led the Spartans offense in the fourth quarter, as West continued to add rebounds to her total. In overtime the Spartans struck first to take the lead but three consecutive three-pointers for the Highlanders took the lead, and three final free throws sealed the deal for Upstate's second conference loss of the season. Prior to the loss Upstate was riding a four-game winning streak and hadn't lost to a conference opponent since Jan. 17 against Longwood.  

 
Game Information 
Score: USC Upstate 61; Radford 67 
Records: USC Upstate (12-10; 7-2 Big South) vs. Radford (11-12; 7-2 Big South)  
Location: Dedmon Center | Radford, Va.        

How It Happened: 

First Quarter: Upstate 20: Radford 16 

• Upstate set the tone in the first quarter with five points in the first few minutes compared to Radford's two.  

• Both teams then went on a nearly two-minute scoreless streak which was broken by Radford, who was able to tie the game 7-7.  

• The Spartans reclaimed the lead, stacking nine points compared to the Highlanders' two.  

• With under two minutes to go in the first quarter, Radford outscored Upstate 7-4 but the Spartans held the lead 20-16.  

Second Quarter: Upstate 34: Radford 26 

• In the first few minutes of the second quarter, Radford brought the game within one point before both teams once again hit an offensive drought (22-21). 

• This time it was Upstate that found some rhythm back on offense and pushed its lead to five points before another two scoreless minutes.  

• In the final four minutes of the half, Upstate posted eight points while holding Radford to five to go into halftime with an eight-point lead.  

Third Quarter: Upstate 44; Radford 39 

• Coming out of the break, both teams added two points to their totals respectively before hitting another two minutes of scoreless play.  

• The visiting Spartans scored six points compared to the hosting Highlanders two to make the game 42-30 at the media timeout.  

• Following the media timeout, Radford went on a seven-point scoring run to cut the Spartans' lead down to five points with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.  

• The final two minutes of the quarter saw two points for both teams to make the game 44-39 going into the fourth quarter.  

Fourth Quarter: Upstate 53; Radford 53 

• Upstate started the final quarter scoring four points and holding Radford scoreless for the first two and a half minutes.  

• Radford then went on an eight-point scoring run to bring the game within only one point (48-47). 

• In the final three minutes, Upstate was outscored 6-5 which was just enough to send the game into overtime (53-53). 

Over Time: Upstate 61; Radford 67 

• The Spartans struck first in overtime but Radford was quick to respond with one from distance.  

• Upstate was able to find success from distance as well but back-to-back three's from Radford gave the Highlanders a four-point lead.  

• Three final points for the Spartans and five final points for the Highlanders gave a 67-61 win to the host, Radford.  

Notable 

• Zora Fray-Chinn helped lead the team in points with a career-high 14 points scored. This was her first game of the season scoring in double-figures.  

• Fray-Chinn tied her career high for rebounds for the fourth time (7).  

• Isabell West had her 15th game of the season scoring in double figures with the 14 points she scored today. 

• West earned her second double-double of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds.  

• Her first double-double was also against Radford (1/20/24) with 10 rebounds and 22 points. 

• Dakota Reeves had her seventh game of the season after she scored 11 points against Radford.  

• The Spartans had a team-high 49 rebounds against the Highlanders.  

Up Next for the Spartans  
Upstate will return home to host the Longwood Lancers Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. before taking on I-26 Rival UNC Asheville in North Carolina on Saturday afternoon. 

USC Upstate sponsoring I-26 Rivalry Canned Food Drive presented by Ingles  

Help the Spartans score three bonus points in the yearlong rivalry series against UNC Asheville, the Ingles I-26 Rivalry, by donating canned and non-perishable food items when you attend home events through Saturday, February 10!  Donations are accepted at the Hodge Center everyday including gamedays and look for more Ingles store drop off locations and special incentives for donations on our @UpstateSpartans social media accounts!   All donations support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg. 

Connect with the Spartans       
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics       
Twitter | @UpstateWBB @UpstateSpartans       
Instagram | @UpstateWBB @UpstateSpartans       
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans