Boiling Springs, N.C. - Continuing Road Play in the Big South, Upstate took the court in Paul Porter Arena to take on Gardner-Webb for an evening road Big South Matchup. The Spartans were on the receiving end of a three-point barrage from the Runnin' Bulldogs through the first half which carried to the second half. Gardner-Webb's shooting carried their momentum through both halves to finish with a final score of 98-67. Junior Forward, Breylin Garcia led the Spartans with 12 Points and four rebounds adding eighth game in double figures.  

Heading into the second half, Andrew McConnell and Nic Book combined for 15 Points off the bench as both players attacked the paint with aggressive takes to the lane. Book found his way with making a highlight by putting a defender on a poster with a two-hand dunk. Book also led the team in rebounds with his season and career high of eight rebounds. 

The Spartans shot 40 percent overall (24-for-59) and improved from the charity stripe by shooting 83 percent (15-for-18). Mister Dean led with four free throws without a miss adding his third game on the season with going 100 percent from the charity stripe.  

Game Information 

Score: USC Upstate 68; Garnder-Webb 97 

Records: USC Upstate (5-15; 1-4 Big South); Gardner-Webb (8-11; 3-3 Big South) 

Location: Paul Porter Arena | Boiling Springs, N.C. 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the half by forcing multiple turnovers on their first two possessions which helped spark a hot start in their favor. Mister Dean found his way driving to the lane to score the first two points for USC Upstate to make sure the Spartans did not go scoreless. Breylin Garcia used his strength to fight through the lane for a layup to follow. 

• Gardner-Webb began to find their rhythm on the offensive end with a 24-4 with trusting their shot from the beyond the arc. The Runnin' Bulldogs' hot start bolstered with shooting 6-for-7.  

• The Spartans were led by Breylin Garcia with his dominance in the paint adding 10 points to lead USC Upstate's offense and be the spark that the Spartans needed to score.  

• Gardner-Webb continued to move the ball with getting their offense rolling from beyond the arc as the Runnin' Bulldogs shot 11-for-19 from the three-point line. The Runnin' Bulldogs carried their early momentum to lead 56-33 at halftime. 

Second Half 

• Opening the second half, Isiah Skinner started the half by scoring the first points for the Spartans. The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to find their stroke from beyond the arc as their first nine points came from the three-point line. 

• Andrew McConnell began to add scoring off the bench for the Spartans as he had two aggressive takes to the lane for a layup and a trip to the charity stripe. McConnell followed with a three-pointer to add nine second half points for his statline.  

• Gardner-Webb's ball movement for open shots from three and in the lane continued to be the story in the second half as the Runnin' Bulldogs added six three-pointers in the half while going 15-for-28 overall. 

• The Spartans were led in the second half by Nic Book and Andrew McConnell as the pair combined for 15 points off the bench. 

Notable 

• Breylin Garcia added his eighth double-digit game of the season as he led with 12 Points on the evening. 

• Nic Book had his highest scoring outing in the conference matchup since December 14, 2024 against South Carolina. 

Up Next for the Spartans 

After a two-game road trip in Big South, USC Upstate returns to the G.B. Hodge Center Wednesday, January 22nd against High Point University. This marks their first home game since January 11, 2025, where the Spartans faced off against Radford. Wednesday's tip is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. 

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