SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Beginning a new season in the Upstate region for the first time since 2022-23, USC Upstate women's basketball officially kicks off its 2025-26 campaign Monday morning against Clemson with an 11 a.m. ET tip inside Littlejohn Coliseum. The meeting between the Spartans and Tigers marks the third in Upstate's Division I era (2007-pres.), the second time the two clubs have opened a new season against one another.
 
With Monday's matchup, Clemson ties for the most common opening opponent for the Spartans, as the two last met in the 2021-22 season opener. The Tigers join Kentucky (2007-08 and 2024-25) and North Greenville (2009-10 and 2011-12) as the most common season opening opponent in the D1 era.
 
Monday's Matchup
November 3, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. ET
USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South) vs. Clemson (0-0; 0-0 ACC)
Littlejohn Coliseum | Clemson, S.C.
 
TV: ACCNX | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (0-0; 0-0 Big South); Clemson (0-0; 0-0 ACC)
Series: Clemson leads 2-0
Last Five Meetings: Nov. 10, 2021 (CLEM 64; UPST 47); Dec. 15, 2009 (CLEM 78; UPST 65)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Headlining a group of nine returners for the Spartans, reigning Big South Freshman of the Year Cassie Gallagher returns for her redshirt sophomore campaign, carrying Preseason Second Team All-Big South accolades into the new year. Also an Honorable Mention All-Big South and Big South All-Freshman Team selection last season, she led Upstate in scoring, averaging 10.0 points per game. Other returners for the Spartans include junior guard Gracie Barnes, redshirt sophomore forward Emma Blair, redshirt senior forward Zora Fray-Chinn, sophomore guard Gwen Jenkins, redshirt junior guard Aubrie Kierscht, redshirt freshman forward Madison Miller, redshirt junior forward Vera Söderblom, and junior guard Macy Wike. The Spartans' roster supplements its returners with six newcomers as sophomore guard Lexi Castator, graduate student guard Ylenia Expósito Pérez, graduate student forward Aijah Palmore, freshman guard Kinley Paterson, sophomore forward Zoe Richardson, and freshman guard Jessa Troy join the program for 2025-26.
 
Clemson: After missing most of last season due to injury, redshirt senior guard Rachael Rose makes her Clemson debut Monday as one of 20 NCAA point guards featured on the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List. She begins her time with the Tigers averaging 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in her career, topping out at 22.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in 2023-24, earning her second straight SoCon Player of the Year honor. Rose began her career at USC Upstate, winning Big South Freshman of the Year honors in 2021-22.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Off the team's season opener, USC Upstate prepares for its home opener, hosting Erskine Thursday evening. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Nov. 6.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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