ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Entering the Ingles I-26 Rivalry in road Big South play, Upstate attempted to steal the game from the Bulldogs within the final seconds as the Spartans tied the game with five seconds left. A late foul and turnover gave the the Bulldogs the advantage to seal the game with a one for two opportunity at the charity stripe in the Kimmel Arena to win 93-92 over the Spartans. 

The Spartans highlighted with offensive firepower as four USC Upstate players scored in double figures for the third time in Big South Play this season, marking the fourth consecutive game with multiple players scoring 10+ points. Heading in scoring, Big South Freshman of the Week, Mister Dean tied his career high with 25 Points – adding his sixth consecutive game with scoring 15 or more points. Dean added his career high in rebounds with 11 also giving him his first career double-double.  

Junior Guard, Brit Harris followed with 23 Points for his season high, adding his highest scoring night since transferring to USC Upstate. Harris could not miss from behind the arc going three-for-three and shooting 75.0 percent overall; his best shooting night on the season so far. Freshman Guard, Carmelo Adkins entered the fray with 16 Points and five rebounds while shooting 100 percent from the charity stripe. Redshirt Sophomore Guard, Karmani Gregory with 14 Points and nine assists on the night showing floor general skills that Head Coach Marty Richter has looked for. Gregory was one assist shy of a double-double but finished with his season-high.  

Game Information 

Score: USC Upstate 92; UNC Asheville 93 

Records: USC Upstate (5-14; 1-3 Big South); UNC Asheville (12-6; 3-1 Big South) 

Location: Kimmel Arena | Asheville, N.C. 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• The Spartans opened the first half with promise with Brit Harris and Karmani Gregory leading the charge for the USC Upstate. The Bulldogs kept the game close with two lead changes and two ties. Mister Dean began to find his rhythm on the court with converting on a mid range jumper and following with a putback dunk on the following possession.  

•  The Bulldogs added another lead change to jump ahead at the 3:45 mark to give their largest lead of 41-35. The Spartans responded with a 10-0 run with Mister Dean and Carmelo Adkins trusting their shot to help the Spartans shift the momentum in the Kimmel Arena. 

• UNC Asheville's offense stalled as the Spartans continued to ride the hot hand of Mister Dean to shalt the Bulldogs to just three points through the following three minutes 

• Brit Harris capped off the first half with running the floor to score on the fastbreak layup to lead 47-44. A foul from the Spartans helped UNC Asheville convert their two free throws from the charity stripe with under 40 seconds left. Brit Harris ended the half with a layup in the paint to give USC Upstate a three-point advantage at the half. 

Second Half 

• Opening the second half, UNC Asheville fired away through the first three minutes with two consecutive three-pointers to regain the lead to make the Spartans adjust their game plan. Through the following four minutes, both teams continued to trade blows on the offensive end to help live up to the hype of the I-26 Rivalry. 

• Carmelo Adkins put the Spartans back in the driving seat as he finished the transition with a dunk and followed the next offensive possession with a three-pointer to push their lead to 63-58. 

• Under the 10 minute mark, the Bulldogs began to settle into their offense going on a 10-0 run and following that with two consecutive triples to stretch the lead to 77-69. 

• Trailing 87-81 under the three minute mark, the Spartans leaned on their pace with Brit Harris and Mister Dean adding two consecutive layups to cut into the UNC Asheville lead at 1:16 mark. With the Bulldogs following with two free throws, Brit Harris made his moment count with a stepback three-pointer to bring it to a 91-90 score. As the Spartans fouled on the inbound, the Bulldogs went 1-for-2 at the charity stripe resulting in Breylin Garcia grabbing the rebound and connecting with Karmani Gregory who finished the play with a game-tying layup. The Bulldogs were able to convert one free throw at the charity stripe and force a turnover to hold on to win in the intense battle. 

Notable 

• Scoring 25 Points, Mister Dean added his sixth consecutive game of scoring 15 Points or more and added his 14th double-digit game on the season. Dean also added his first career double-double in the matchup. 

• Brit Harris scored his season-high and the most in a Spartan jersey with 23 Points and jumped the passing lane with two steals. Harris' three-point shooting was the team-high with 100% from behind the arc. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

Continuing road play in the Big South, USC Upstate returns to action Saturday in Boiling Springs. The Spartans will travel to Gardner-Webb for their second consecutive Big South Road contest with tip-off set for 4 p.m. ET. 

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