SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Completing the first of three two-game homestands for the team during Big South Conference play, USC Upstate women's basketball returns to action at the G.B. Hodge Center Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET against Winthrop. The Spartans lead the series with the Eagles 9-7, entering the 17^th meeting between the two clubs having won the final meeting last season, a 52-48 victory on Feb. 8, 2025, in Rock Hill.
 
Wednesday's Matchup
January 7, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-11; 0-2 Big South) vs. Winthrop (8-8; 1-1 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.
 
TV: ESPN+ | Via WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App
Radio: Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM/1400 AM | Also available via the FoxSports Spartanburg or TuneIn 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 (5-11; 0-2 Big South); Winthrop (8-8; 1-1 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 9-7
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 8, 2025 (UPST 52; WIN 48); Jan. 2, 2025 (WIN 63; UPST 54); Feb. 24, 2024 (WIN 67; UPST 61); Jan. 6, 2024 (UPST 52; WIN 51); Feb. 12, 2023 (WIN 56; UPST 52)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: Heading the top rebounding team and one of two Spartans with 100-plus rebounds this season, redshirt junior forward Vera Söderblom totals 111 rebounds on the season after pulling in a career-high-tying 13 Saturday versus High Point. The game marked her third double-figure rebounding game of the season, upping her rebounding average to 6.9 boards per game, ranking fourth in the Big South in the category. She complements her rebounding with a 4.9 points per game scoring average and 47.1 percent shooting percentage while tallying 14 assists, 10 steals, and seven blocks.
 
Winthrop: Averaging 14.6 points per game, junior guard Amouri Porter represents the Eagles' leading scorer, ranking fifth in the Big South in the category. She's scored in double-figures in 12 of 15 contests this year, exceeding the 20-point mark on three occasions, including a season-high 25 points last time out versus UNC Asheville. Helping her scoring totals, Porter is adept at getting to the free throw line, leading the league in free throw attempts (108; fifth nationally) and free throws made (80; sixth nationally).
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Breaking up a stretch of three of four games played at the G.B. Hodge Center, USC Upstate heads on the road Saturday, making the short trip to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb. The Spartans and Runnin' Bulldogs tip at 2 p.m. ET.
 
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