SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Taking the court in a back-to-back matchup, the Spartans battled with Southern Wesleyan where the Spartans used an early hot start to cruise past the Warriors with a 98-63 final. Upstate finished with five players in double figures including Isaiah Skinner and Kanye Jones adding their highest scoring total in a Spartan uniform. 

Isaiah Skinner led with his season and career high of 17 points, followed by leading with six assists along with adding five rebounds. Mason Bendinger added 16 points along with his new season high with seven rebounds all recorded in the first half. Kanye Jones added a new career high with 15 points shooting 6-for-10 from the field and 2-for-4 from beyond the arc. Carmelo Adkins contributed 11 points off the bench while adding six rebounds and one assist. Karmani Gregory added 10 points and four assists while shooting 3-for-9 from the field and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc. Chico Johnson and Learic Davis added eight points while Davis grabbed seven rebounds along with Johnson adding three rebounds.  

Overall, Upstate headed the charge with 62 bench points which is their highest of the season. Following the team play, the Spartans won the battle with 50 paint points compared to the Warriors' 22. Upstate's pace on the court proved dividends with 26 fastbreak points followed by their second consecutive game shooting 50 percent from the field. On the boards, the Spartans added 45 rebounds (10 offensive and 35 defensive) compared to Southern Wesleyan's 36 rebounds (16 offensive and 20 defensive).  

Game Information 

Score: USC Upstate 98: Southern Wesleyan 63 

Records: USC Upstate (8-6; 0-0 Big South) vs. Southern Wesleyan (1-8; 0-0 Conference Carolinas) 

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

How it Happened 

First Half 

• The Spartans opened with a 9-2 run as Mason Bendinger scored the first seven for Upstate followed by Learic Davis finishing with a dunk. 

• Upstate's offense continued to attack with Karmani Gregory adding two triples and Learic Davis converting a layup moving the score to 19-5. 

• Upstate continued their offensive firepower with Isaiah Skinner entering the fray adding two three-pointers under the 10-minute mark.  

• With their lead at 42-11, the Spartans began to attack the paint with Carmelo Adkins converting with an and-one layup and a pair of free throws. Adkins scored the final layup of the half pushing Upstate ahead 49-18 at the break. 

Second Half 

• The second half opened with Karmani Gregory opening the scoring column using his strength through the lane for a layup. Coen Collier followed with his first triple of the season moving their lead to 54-24. 

• The team play continued to display with each player getting their shine as Isaiah Skinner converted two consecutive triples with one being assisted from CJ Rich and another from Chico Johnson. 

• Under the 10 minute mark, CJ Rich showed he could be more than a distributor powering in the paint for an and-one.  

• Kanye Jones began to catch fire with a fastbreak layup and two consecutive triples. Chico Johnson displayed his speed proving to get his legs back under him after a MCL injury with a coast-to-coast layup.  

• Coen Collier, Kanye Jones and Chico Johnson scored the final three baskets for Upstate as the Spartans cruised past the Warriors for a 98-63 final. 

Notable 

• Isaiah Skinner surpassed his season-high in points (17), assists (6) and three-pointers (5) while adding his third double figure game of the season. 

• Kanye Jones added his new career high of 15 points with his previous being 14 points against Southern Virginia. 

• Coen Collier added his new season-high with nine points in 24 minutes while converting on two three-pointers, his first two of the season. 

• Upstate's 62 bench points is the highest total of the season through 14 games played. 

Up next for the Spartans 

Upstate Men's Basketball wraps up non-conference play with a road matchup at Youngstown State on Saturday, December 20th at 1:00 P.M. live on ESPN+ which will also be their final game before Big South play opens on New Year's Eve. 

Connect with the Spartans      
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics      
Twitter | @UpstateMBB | @UpstateSpartans      
Instagram | @Upstate_MBB | @UpstateSpartans      
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans     

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS - Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!