SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Returning to the court for the first time in 11 days, Upstate Men's Basketball opened Big South play hosting Radford for an afternoon New Year's Eve action where the Highlanders held off a late rally from Upstate for a 76-69 final. 

The Spartans were led by Carmelo Adkins, Karmani Gregory and Mason Bendinger each scoring 16 points apiece. Adkins also led Upstate in two categories with eight rebounds and three steals. Gregory shot 6-for-12 from the field and 2-for-5 from beyond the arc while adding three assists and two steals. Bendinger added one block, one steal, and three assists while shooting 7-for-19 from the field. Learic Davis followed with eight points and four rebounds while shooting 3-for-6 from the field. Tyler Smith contributed seven points and four rebounds along with three assists. Jafeth Martinez and Coen Collier each led with three blocks apiece protecting the rim. Upstate won the battle on the boards with 41 rebounds (15 offensive and 26 defensive) compared to Radford's 37 (10 offensive and 27 defensive). Upstate also edged the Highlanders with 38 points in the paint compared to Radford's 36. Radford won the fastbreak battle with 15 fastbreak points to Upstate's nine while also outdueling the Spartans shooting 44 percent from the field. 

Game Information 

Score: Radford 76: USC Upstate 69 

Records: USC Upstate (8-8; 0-1 Big South) vs. Radford (8-8; 1-0 Big South) 

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

How it Happened 

First Half 

• Upstate jumped ahead with two consecutive scores in the paint from Jafeth Martinez and Karmani Gregory. Tyler Smith followed with a three-pointer keeping Upstate ahead 7-4. 

• The half began to see the lead change hands for both teams as Carmelo Adkins began to find his rhythm putting Upstate back ahead. Under the eight minute mark, Radford took the driver's seat with a 27-23 lead from a three-pointer and jumper in the paint. 

• Carmelo Adkins responded with a three-pointer followed by Mason Bendinger converting on a fastbreak layup to regain the lead. Radford went on a 10-2 run to end the half with 37-30 lead. 

Second Half 

• Upstate opened the second half with Tyler Smith connecting with Mason Bendinger for the fastbreak and-one layup. Learic Davis and Mason Bendinger followed with the following two baskets cutting into the Radford's lead 41-37. 

• Radford continued to use the paint and mid range in the second half but the Spartans began to see Mason Bendinger find his rhythm as the Spartans cut the Radford lead to three under the 10 minute mark. 

• The Highlanders followed with a 7-0 run but the Spartans continued to find their way back as Carmelo Adkins scored from a steal caused by Isaiah Skinner. Karmani Gregory responded followed with his second triple of the evening to bring the score to 68-62. Radford used late free throws to hold off Upstate's lead going 5-for-7 in the final minute. 

Notable 

• Through 16 games played, Karmani Gregory has scored in double figures in 14 games while scoring 15+ points through nine games. 

• Jafeth Martinez's three-block performance marked his fifth game of the season having three blocks or more with his season-high being five and moving his total to 30. 

• Carmelo Adkins' eight rebound performance marked his 10th game of the season with five or more rebounds. 

Up next for the Spartans 

Following the conference home opener on New Year's Eve, Upstate travels down the road to Clinton, South Carolina for the first game of 2026 with Presbyterian College on Saturday, January 3rd at 2:00 P.M.  

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