SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Busting up a stretch of three of four games played at home, USC Upstate women's basketball makes its second detour away from the G.B. Hodge Center during Big South Conference play as it takes the short trip across the state line for a Saturday meeting with Gardner-Webb. The Spartans look to build upon their momentum in the series, winning the final matchup last season to give Upstate a win in three of the past four meetings with the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
Saturday's Matchup
January 9, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (5-12; 0-3 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (4-12; 1-1 Big South)
Paul Porter Arena | Boiling Springs, 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 (5-12; 0-3 Big South); Gardner-Webb (4-12; 1-1 Big South)
Series: Gardner-Webb leads 12-5
Last Five Meetings: Feb. 15, 2025 (UPST 68; GWU 59); Jan. 18, 2025 (GWU 79; UPST 73); Feb. 17, 2024 (UPST 73; GWU 56); Jan. 27, 2024 (UPST 78; GWU 59); Feb. 25, 2023 (GWU 83; UPST 59)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: The Spartans' leading scorer in each of its past two league contests, redshirt sophomore guard Cassie Gallagher secured her fourth 20-plus point effort of the year and fifth of her career with 22 markers against Winthrop Wednesday. Through three Big South games, she's averaged 17.7 points per game—two points better than her season average of 15.3 points per contest—ranking fourth in the conference in scoring during league play. Gallagher enters the weekend leading the Big South in three-point field goal percentage, shooting 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, good for 35^th in the NCAA.
 
Gardner-Webb: Entering the weekend as the Runnin' Bulldogs' leading scorer, averaging 12.3 points per game, junior guard Amina Gray leads her squad through two conference games as she's upped her scoring average by five points to 17.0 points per contest in league play. She ranks seventh in the Big South in scoring against conference foes, scoring 21 and 13 points, respectively, against Winthrop and UNC Asheville. Gray enters hitting 39 three-pointers, ranking fourth in the league in the category this season, shooting 36.4 percent from distance this year.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Returning home to the G.B. Hodge Center to conclude a stretch of three of four games played at home and breaking up a stretch of three of four games played on the road, USC Upstate hosts Presbyterian Wednesday evening. Tip-off between the Spartans and Blue Hose is slated for 7 p.m. ET.
 
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