CHARLESTON, S.C. - Taking the court for midweek Big South action, Upstate Men's Basketball traveled to the lowcountry at Charleston Southern where the Spartans battled from a six-point deficit at the half outscoring the Buccaneers in the second half to force overtime and seal the victory with an 86-81 final. 

Learic Davis and Mason Bendinger headed the scoring column with 22 points each. Davis' 22 points and eight field goals marked a new career high while going 1-for-2 from beyond the arc. The lone triple made by Davis was a key three-pointer pushing the Spartans ahead, 79-77 at the 2:27 mark in overtime. Learic Davis shot 5-for-7 from the free throw line and was second on the team with eight rebounds (three offensive and five defensive). Mason Bendinger shot 11-for-23 marking a new career high in field goals made and attempted. Bendinger filled the stats sheet with five rebounds, one steal and one block. Karmani Gregory added 14 points and two assists while shooting 4-for-15 from the field and 2-for-4 from the perimeter. Gregory's second triple marked the dagger that helped push the Spartans further their lead at the 1:01 mark in overtime. Carmelo Adkins rounded out the double figure scorers with 13 points, nine rebounds (team leading) and one steal. Adkins sealed the game with the final two free throws in overtime to push the Spartans to victory.  

The Spartans outdueled the Buccaneers with 46 rebounds (16 offensive and 30 defensive) compared to Charleston Southern's 40 (seven offensive and 33 defensive). The battle in the paint was a 10-point differential as Upstate added 48 to Charleston Southern's 38. As the pace was as quick as track meet, Upstate kept their turnovers in single digits with eight to the Bucs' 12. Defensively, Charleston Southern swatted the ball nine times opposed to Upstate's three with Jafeth Martinez leading Upstate with two. In crunch time, Upstate shot 64 percent from the throw line compared to Charleston Southern's 52 percent. 

Game Information 

USC Upstate 86; Charleston Southern 81 

Records: USC Upstate (9-10; 1-3 Big South) vs. Charleston Southern (11-9; 2-3 Big South) 

Location: CSU Fieldhouse| Charleston, South Carolina 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• Opening the first half, Mason Bendinger came in hot with the first two scores, putting the Spartans ahead 4-2.  

• The half began to see the lead change five times through the following six minutes, seeing Upstate lead 22-21 as Bendinger added 10 first half points. 

• The Buccaneers responded under the five minute mark with an 8-0 run taking the lead with a 35-29 score. Mason Bendinger responded with the following three scores for Upstate cutting their deficit to two at the one minute mark.  

• Charleston Southern closed out the first half with a free throw and triple to lead 41-35 at the break. 

Second Half 

• The fast pace continued in the second half with both teams looking to swing the momentum on their side. Karmani Gregory and Learic Davis opened the half with a triple and mid range jumper to cut the Bucs' lead to three. Tyler Smith followed with pick and roll action finding Breylin Garcia in the paint cutting the deficit to one. 

• Two consecutive scores from Learic Davis and Karmani Gregory helped Upstate take their first lead since the 5:29 mark in the first half with a 54-50 lead. 

• As Upstate continued to attack the paint, Charleston Southern stayed in the fight with a layup and three-pointer tying the game at the 8:23 mark. 

• The Spartans climbed their way back after trailing 72-64 to finish the half with an 8-0 run led by Learic Davis converting on a layup on one possession and two free throws on the next. Mason Bendinger's mid range added to the run in the final minute followed by Carmelo Adkins forcing a steal and finishing on the other end with a layup tying the game at 72. 

Overtime 

• With more basketball on the way, the Spartans responded after being down 77-74 with Karmani Gregory finding Mason Bendinger for the score cutting their deficit to one. 

• On the following offensive possession, a classic pick and pop saw Learic Davis put the Spartans ahead 79-77 with a three-pointer at the 2:29 mark.  

• Upstate rode the momentum in overtime with Mason Bendinger building the lead with another mid range jumper and Karmani Gregory knocking down the clutch triple extending their lead to 84-79. Carmelo Adkins went 2-for-2 in the final seconds from the charity stripe to seal the game for an 86-81 victory. 

Notable 

• Upstate's win over Charleston Southern marks the second time in the Marty Richter era to defeat a conference opponent on the road in two consecutive years as Upstate's last matchup at Charleston Southern on Feb. 22, 2025. 

• Tonight's matchup marked the Spartans' second overtime win of the season, now being 2-0 in overtime while pushing the Buccaneers to defeat in extra play for their second consecutive game. 

• Learic Davis' 22 points marked his highest scoring total in a Spartan uniform and his career high with his previous being 18 points against Presbyterian on Jan. 3, 2026. 

• A win over Charleston Southern snapped a four-game skid and attributed their first win of 2026 and in Big South play. 

Up next for the Spartans   

Continuing action on the road, Upstate Men's Basketball travels to High Point, North Carolina taking on conference opponent, High Point for a Saturday night battle at 7:00 P.M. Eastern time live on ESPN+.  

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!