SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Taking the court before feast day, Upstate Men's Basketball hosted North Carolina Central where the Spartans added three players in double figures followed by a 50 percent shooting night for the club with an 82-67 final. 

The Spartans were led by Mason Bendinger where he added 19 points shooting 6-for-13 from the field along with a new season-high of four made triples shooting 80 percent from beyond the arc. Karmani Gregory followed with a 17-point performance shooting 5-for-9 from the field, 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. Gregory also added five assists and led with two steals. Adding a new season and career high, Jafeth Martinez dominated with 16 points shooting 100 percent from the field and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Martinez added five rebounds and five blocks to go with his impressive stat line.  

The Spartans won the rebounding battle 39 to 35 (12 offensive and 27 defensive) as Coen Collier, Carmelo Adkins and Jafeth Martinez each led with five rebounds. The Spartans edged past the Eagles with 28 bench points compared to NC Central's 24. In the paint, Upstate dominated with 34 points opposed to the Eagles' 22 displaying a balance of stretching the floor while leaning on their presence in the paint. The pace continues to go in the Spartans' favor winning the fastbreak battle 21 to 14.  

Game Information 

Score: USC Upstate 82: NC Central 67 

Records: USC Upstate (4-4; 0-0 Big South) vs. NC Central (2-6; 0-0 MEAC) 

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

How it Happened 

First Half 

• The Spartans opened with a 7-0 run with Karmani Gregory scoring from an assist from Coen Collier followed by a triple from Carmelo Adkins and Nic Book. 

• NC Central followed with a response taking their first lead at the 7:27 mark with a 16-15 score. The Eagles continued to find their way to the line under the five-minute mark while defensively challenging Upstate with the press. 

• Upstate responded to the press with Isaiah Skinner finding Jafeth Martinez in the paint for and-one dunk. The Spartans continued to adjust to the Eagles with Martinez protecting the paint resulting in a fastbreak layup from Kanye Jones.  

• As the run continued, Upstate pushed their lead to 10 with free throws from Jafeth Martinez and Karmani Gregory. As the half wrapped up, a steal and score from Karmani Gregory followed by Gregory finding Bendinger in the corner for a triple gave Upstate a 39-24 halftime lead. 

Second Half 

• Mason Bendinger opened the second half with the first score in the paint looking to push Upstate's momentum through the second half. 

• NC Central used a 9-0 run to cut into Upstate's lead bringing the score to single digits. Karmani Gregory ended the run with a three-pointer followed with Coen Collier's layup assisted by Tyler Smith. 

• The Spartans regrouped with two consecutive triples from Isaiah Skinner and Mason Bendinger pushing the lead to 58-45.  

• Under 10-minute mark, multiple layups from Jafeth Martinez and another triple from Mason Bendinger jump started a 9-2 run pushing the lead to 69-51. 

• As the lead grew, Tyler Smith pushed the pace finding Carmelo Adkins for a fastbreak triple for their largest lead of the night with 21. Under the five minute mark, late game free throws kept Upstate in the driver's seat to end the game with 82-67. 

Notable 

• Jafeth Martinez's performance added a new season high in points and rebounds (16 point and 5 blocks). 

• Mason Bendinger's 19-point performance added his seventh double digit performance of the season, while adding his new season-high with four triples. 

• Karmani Gregory's 17-point performance totaled his sixth double digit performance along with 15+ point performance.  

Up next for the Spartans  

Following the home game against NC Central, Upstate Men's Basketball travels to Lincoln, Nebraska taking on BIG10 Opponent, University of Nebraska-Lincoln for a Saturday afternoon matchup at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time.  

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