SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Coming off the team's first of two byes during Big South Conference play, USC Upstate women's basketball returns with a renewal of the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series, heading to UNC Asheville Wednesday evening. Meeting for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip inside Kimmel Arena, the Spartans and Bulldogs matchup for the 26^th time, Upstate entering with a 14-11 lead and a four-game winning streak in the series.
 
Wednesday's Matchup
January 21, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (6-13; 1-4 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (7-12; 2-4 Big South)
Kimmel Arena | Asheville, N.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Weekly Coaches Interview: Catch head coach Jason Williams weekly on Fox Sports Spartanburg every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. ET.
 
How They Stack Up
Records: USC Upstate (6-13; 1-4 Big South); UNC Asheville (7-12; 2-4 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 14-11
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 12, 2025 (UPST 60; AVL 51); Jan. 15, 2025 (UPST 60; AVL 57); Feb. 10, 2024 (UPST 71; AVL 65); Jan. 3, 2024 (UPST 71; AVL 44); Feb. 4, 2023 (AVL 68; UPST 65)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Tallying her team-best eighth double-digit rebounding game and third such contest during Big South play, graduate student forward Aijah Palmore upped her rebounding average in league play to 10.2 rebounds per game after pulling in a team-high 12 rebounds against Presbyterian. She leads the league in rebounding during Big South play, pulling in 51 rebounds during the Spartans' five conference contests. In the season at large, Palmore ranks second in the Big South, averaging 7.7 rebounds per game while averaging 6.2 points per game and shooting 50.6 percent from the field.
 
UNC Asheville: Entering play Wednesday holding a 14-game double-figure scoring streak after dropping 15 against Presbyterian, sophomore guard Nia Green represents the Bulldogs' leading scorer at 14.5 points per game. Shooting 52.6 percent from the field, she ranks second in the league among qualified players in field goal percentage while ranking sixth in the Big South in scoring. During Big South play, Green averages 17.5 points per contest, leading UNC Asheville and ranking fourth in the league.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Remaining on the road, USC Upstate heads to the Old Dominion for the first time this year, travelling to Longwood for a Saturday meeting. The Spartans and Lancers match up for a 2 p.m. ET tip.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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