SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the new week for a mid-week battle at the G.B. Hodge Center, Upstate Men's Basketball hosted Tennessee Tech with back-and-forth action dating back from the opening tip to the final buzzer with the Golden Eagles edging past Upstate with 88-84 final. 

The Spartans were led by Carmelo Adkins adding 22 points shooting 8-for-16 from the field, 4-for-10 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-4 from the charity stripe. Mason Bendinger followed with first 20-point performance with 21 points shooting 10-for-16 from the field. Karmani Gregory added 11 points shooting 4-for-13 from the field while going 2-for-3 from the free throw line. Junior Guard, Tyler Smith followed with 10 points while teasing a double-double with his new season high of eight assists. Smith added four steals marking his second game of the season with four steals moving to 19 total through six games. On the board, Learic Davis led with six rebounds marking his second consecutive game as rebounding leader. Davis also added a defensive presence with two blocks and two steals, making a new season high in blocks and his second consecutive game with multiple steals. 

Tennessee Tech won the team rebounding battle adding 42 total rebounds (10 offensive and 32 defensive) along with edging past Upstate with 37 bench points compared to the Spartans' 31. The Spartans outdueled the Golden Eagles in the paint with 48 points compared to their 34. The Spartans displayed their fast-paced offense with 18 fastbreak points to Tennessee Tech's 12. Overall, the term "back-and-forth" for the game was the true name with the lead changing hands 11 times and the score being tied 12 times. 

Game Information 

Score: Tennessee Tech 88: USC Upstate 84 

Records: USC Upstate (3-3; 0-0 Big South) vs. Tennessee Tech (3-3; 0-0 OVC) 

Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, South Carolina 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• Jafeth Martinez and Mason Bendinger open the scoring column for the Spartans scoring the first two baskets.  

• Tennessee Tech responded with a layup, a triple and a jumper taking the lead 7-6. The lead continued to change hands as Tyler Smith and Carmelo Adkins scored two consecutive baskets for the Spartans.  

• The Golden Eagles looked to push the needle regaining the lead with a 30-23 score. The lead grew to 10 but two free throws from Learic Davis and a triple from Carmelo Adkins boosted an 11-1 run for Upstate to tie it at 39 with 37 seconds left. Both teams drew fouls to go 2-for-2 from the free throw line ending the half tied at 41. 

Second Half 

• The Spartans opened the half taking the lead with a three-pointer from Karmani Gregory followed by a fastbreak layup from Learic Davis. The Golden Eagles regained the lead following a hook shot and a three-pointer. 

• The momentum continued to swing back and forth as Tyler Smith found Coen Collier in the paint for a dunk. After a three-pointer from Tennessee Tech, Learic Davis found Carmelo Adkins for the response tying the game at 53. 

• Under the 10 minute mark, two jumpers from Mason Bendinger helped keep Upstate in the game as Golden Eagles led 65-62. 

• With Tennessee Tech continuing to hold the lead at 73-65, a score from Jafeth Martinez and a layup from Tyler Smith added four quick points for the Spartans. A layup and a three-pointer from Carmelo Adkins brought the game to 76-74 at the 4:01 mark. 

• The game intensified with the Golden Eagles converting two consecutive layups to lead 84-78 at the 1:01 mark. A fastbreak layup from Karmani Gregory pushed to a four-point game and on the following inbound, Carmelo Adkins read the pass perfectly jumping in front for a steal and layup to bring the game to two. Mason Bendinger added an and-one layup responding to the Golden Eagles converting two free throws. Tennessee Tech finished the game with two final free throws winning 88-84. 

Notable 

• Carmelo Adkins' 22 point performance marked his second 20 point performance on the season and his fifth consecutive game scoring 10+ points. 

• Mason Bendinger's 21 point performance added his first 20 point performance of the season and at Upstate while adding his fifth 10+ point performance. 

• Tyler Smith's four steals moves his steals per game to 3.2 while being the only Spartan with double digit assists. Smith added his season high on assists with eight displaying his floor general presence. 

Up next for the Spartans  

Upstate Men's Basketball will continue play in the MTE Tournament traveling to the Carrollton, Georgia for a Friday night matchup at the University of West Georgia scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 P.M. Eastern Time.  

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