SPARTANBURG, S.C. – At the G.B. Hodge Center for the final time this season, USC Upstate women's basketball faced the High Point Panthers Wednesday evening. Despite the effort, the Spartans dropped this contest to the Panther 72-47.
 
Tonight's scoring effort was led by redshirt freshman forward Emma Blair. Finishing the night with a new career-high 16 points, Blair made six field goals and went four of six from the charity stripe.
 
Almost reaching double figures was freshman forward Ava Miller, who added seven points and grabbed five boards. Senior forward Rebekah Gordon was strong on the glass, leading the team in rebounding with eight.
 
Game Information
Score: High Point 72; USC Upstate 47
Records: USC Upstate (8-20; 5-10 Big South); High Point (17-11; 13-2 Big South)
Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.

How It Happened
First Quarter

• High Point won the opening tip and scored the first points of the game off two made free throws. Ava Miller cut the High Point lead down to two points with a jumper.
• Continuing her scoring trend, Ava Miller scored a three-pointer off an assist from Cassie Gallagher. Olivia Forester ended the three-minute scoring drought for both teams with a jumper off an assist from Ava Miller.

Second Quarter

• The first points of the second quarter came from Emma Blair, making a layup off an assist from Olivia Forester. Jeni Levine sunk a three-pointer off the assist from Rebekah Gordon.
• High Point took the nine-point lead heading into the halftime break, but not before Emma Blair beat the buzzer, scoring a layup off of an assist from Olivia Forester.

Third Quarter

• Out of the halftime break, the Panthers struck first off of a layup. Cassie Gallagher cut into the High Point lead, knocking down both free throws.
• Emma Blair earned another two points, making a layup with the assist from Zora Fray-Chinn to close out the third.

Fourth Quarter

• Olivia Forester made a pull-up three-pointer two minutes into the fourth quarter, getting things started for the Spartans. Cassie Gallagher scored next, making a layup, assisted by Zora Fray-Chinn.
• High Point maintained their lead throughout the fourth. Rebekah Gordon made a layup, followed by a Gwen Jenkins jumper to chip away at the deficit. High Point made a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining in the period to help secure the victory.

Notable

• Emma Blair earned a new career-high in field goals made with six. She tied her career-high in free throws made with four.
• Olivia Forester tied her career high in assist with three.

UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans look ahead to their next game, traveling to Longwood on March 1st. Tip-off is set for  2:00 pm.
 
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