SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the G.B. Hodge Center after a quick road trip to Virginia, USC Upstate hosted Charleston Southern for a midweek battle in front of a sold out crowd in Big South play. Both Opponents traded baskets to narrow the game to tie at 62 in the final four minutes, but the Buccaneers put themselves ahead with a 10-2 run to take the lead. Late free throws from Charleston Southern was enough to steal a win over the Spartans with a final score of 82-75. 

The Spartans had an offensive outing that highlighted four players in scoring figures with Mister Dean leading with his third 20 point game and his sixth double digit game in the month of January. Brit Harris followed with 17 Points shooting 7-for-12 overall and 40 percent from beyond the arc (2-for-5). Andrew McConnell followed with his third consecutive double digit game with 11 Points while shooting 50 percent from three (2-for-4) and 100 percent from the charity stripe (3-for-3). Daniel Helterhoff added his season and career high with 10 Points while shooting 40 percent from three (2-for-5).  

The Spartans outdueled the Buccaneers in the assist and turnover battle with USC Upstate edging with 12 assists and nine turnovers compared to Charleston Southern's 11 assists and 16 turnovers. The Spartans forced 10 steals led by Mister Dean having a career night on the defensive end with six steals. Head Coach, Marty Richter leaned on his depth from the second unit to add scoring as USC Upstate finished with 21 Bench Points.  

Game Information 

Score: USC Upstate 75; Charleston Southern 82 

Records: USC Upstate (5-18; 1-7 Big South); Charleston Southern (7-16; 3-5 Big South) 

Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C. 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• Entering the first four minutes, USC Upstate opened on a 10-0 run with two three-pointers from Andrew McConnell and Daniel Helterhoff followed by back to back baskets from Mister Dean. 

• As the first half began to settle, The Buccaneers shook off the rust by responding with a 11-2 run to cut into the Spartan leading trailing 16-14. Charleston Southern began to use their inside out offensive game by spreading the ball on multiple possessions from the paint to beyond the arc. 

• The versatility from the Buccaneers forced the first lead change of the half with under minutes left. Within two minutes, the lead changed three times as the Spartans continued to attack the lane and get to the free throw line. 

• In the final minute of the half, the Buccaneers regained the lead from a three-pointer to go into halftime leading 36-34. 

Second Half 

• The Spartans opened the second half regaining the lead from a three-pointer from Andrew McConnell followed by a layup from Mister Dean. 

• Charleston Southern responded by scoring eight unanswered points to earn their largest lead of the game with eight. USC Upstate began to lean on their second unit with Chico Johnson and Brit Harris cutting into the Buccaneer lead to trail 53-52 at 8:11 mark. 

• The suspense picked up with Brit Harris tying the game with a three-pointer but the tie was quickly wiped away by Charleston Southern's response from beyond the arc.  

• Both opponents continued to trade scores with two lead changes that set the stage with under four minutes left. Charleston Southern used a 10-2 run to put themselves in a good spot forcing the Spartans to use their fouls. Late free throws from the Buccaneers helped seal the game over USC Upstate stealing a win at the Hodge Center. 

Notable 

• Mister Dean's six steals was a career-high as Dean led the Spartans on the defensive end by jumping passes in the lane. 

• Daniel Helterhoff's start was a memorable one for his career as he added his career high with 10 Points. 

• Brit Harris scored 17 Points off the bench which was his third 15+ Point game of the month.
  
  Up next for the Spartans 

    USC Upstate will return to the road for an afternoon matchup in Virginia against Radford University Saturday, February 1st with a 2:00 P.M. scheduled tip.  

Ingles I-26 Rivalry Food Drive: Support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg by donating to the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive through Wednesday, February 12.  All donations stay local and donors may scan the QR code on donation bins for a free ticket to an upcoming Upstate basketball game.  For donation locations and more information, click here. 

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