University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics
0-1,0-0Big South
Wake Forest
1-0,0-0ACC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USC Upstate | 17 | 18 | 4 | 19 | 58 |
| Wake Forest | 22 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 65 |
11/2/2026 7:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – USC Upstate women's basketball mounted a late comeback attempt but came up short in its season opener, falling 65-58 to Wake Forest Monday evening at LJVM Coliseum.
The Spartans (0-1) battled throughout the contest, overcoming a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game in the final minute. Despite the comeback effort, Wake Forest (1-0) converted its opportunities at the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the seven-point victory.
Keira Hudson led the Spartans with 14 points, shooting 6-of-10 from the floor, while Grace Booth recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 18 rebounds. Aubrie Kierscht added 11 points, including three three-pointers, and Vera Söderblom contributed nine points and nine rebounds.
Wake Forest established an early advantage, using an 8-0 scoring run to turn an early 2-0 deficit into an 8-2 lead. The Spartans responded with contributions from Kinley Paterson, Grace Booth and Kierscht to remain within striking distance.
Upstate continued to battle in the opening quarter, cutting the deficit to three points on multiple occasions before Wake Forest carried a 22-17 advantage into the second period.
The Spartans opened the second quarter with a basket from Hudson and continued to chip away at the deficit. Booth's second-chance basket brought Upstate within two at 24-22, but Wake Forest answered with an 8-1 run to build its largest advantage of the half at 32-23.
Upstate closed the half with an impressive offensive push. Kierscht connected from beyond the arc before Hudson scored five consecutive points, including a three-pointer, to bring the Spartans within two at 37-35. Wake Forest converted two free throws in the closing seconds to take a 39-35 lead into halftime.
Wake Forest controlled the momentum coming out of the break, outscoring Upstate 14-4 in the third quarter.
Söderblom opened the scoring with a basket to bring the Spartans within two, but the Demon Deacons responded with a 10-0 scoring run to extend their advantage to 49-37.
Upstate struggled to find its offensive rhythm in the period, shooting 2-of-13 from the floor. Wake Forest took advantage, pushing its lead to 53-39 entering the final 10 minutes.
The Spartans refused to go away, putting together their strongest offensive stretch of the night in the fourth quarter.
After Wake Forest extended its advantage to 56-39, Upstate answered with a 9-0 scoring run to cut the deficit to 56-48 with just over five minutes remaining. Hudson sparked the rally with consecutive baskets, while Booth added a free throw and Söderblom finished a second-chance opportunity in the paint.
Hudson continued to attack the basket, bringing the Spartans within eight at 56-48 before Wake Forest briefly regained control. The Demon Deacons pushed their advantage back to 60-48, but Kierscht answered with a three-pointer and Söderblom added another basket to keep Upstate within striking distance.
Booth converted a fast-break layup off a Kierscht steal to make it 60-55 with 1:41 remaining. Kierscht followed with two free throws to pull the Spartans within four at 61-57 with just over a minute to play.
Söderblom added a free throw with 16 seconds remaining, making it a three-point game at 61-58. However, Wake Forest's Oshauna Holland converted four free throws in the final 10 seconds to seal the 65-58 victory.
USC Upstate finished 24-of-64 (37.5 percent) from the field and 4-of-15 (26.7 percent) from three-point range. The Spartans converted six of nine attempts at the free-throw line.
Upstate controlled the glass, finishing with a 46-31 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive rebounds. The Spartans also held a 36-26 advantage in points in the paint and a 17-2 edge in second-chance points.
USC Upstate returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, November 4 as it hosts Johnson University in the Spartans home opener from the G.B. Hodge Center. Tip is slated for 6:30 p.m.
