SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Opening the new week for Thursday night action, Upstate Men's Basketball hosted High Point for Big South action where the Panthers used their defensive intensity and second chances to move past the Spartans with a 95-70.  

Mason Bendinger led with 15 points shooting 6-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from the charity stripe. Carmelo Adkins added 13 points shooting 4-for-9 and added four assists. In his second consecutive start, Isaiah Skinner added 13 points with three triples and five rebounds. Karmani Gregory and Mason Bendinger rounded out the double figure scoring with 13 points each. Jafeth Martinez led Upstate with 12 rebounds and added three blocks while adding four points. High Point added 19 steals, forcing 27 turnovers and scoring 39 points off turnovers. Upstate won the rebounding battle, grabbing 37 rebounds (10 offensive and 27 defensive) to High Point's 32 (14 offensive and 18 defensive). The Panthers added 25 second chance points compared to Upstate's seven. High Point followed shooting 76 percent to Upstate's 70. 

Game Information 

Score: High Point 95; USC Upstate 70 

Records: USC Upstate (11-15; 3-8 Big South) vs. High Point (23-4; 11-1 Big South) 

Location: G.B. Hodge Center| Spartanburg, South Carolina 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• High Point jumped out to a 15-4 lead, putting the Spartans at an early deficit. The Spartans responded with going on a 9-0 run led by Karmani Gregory and Carmelo Adkins tying the game. 

• As the Spartans climbed back within reach following a layup from Breylin Garcia, but the Panthers found a way to recharge their lead to double figures. 

• Karmani Gregory followed with a three-pointer followed by two consecutive free throws from the charity cutting High Point's lead. The Panthers added one last triple in the first half, going into the break with a 50-35 lead. 

Second Half 

• Isaiah Skinner opened the second half with three consecutive triples followed by a layup cutting their deficit to 12. 

• The Panthers responded, going on a 20-2 run, moving their lead to 82-53 at the 8:07 mark. 

• Upstate ended their scoring drought with a three-pointer from Tyler Smith followed by Isaiah Skinner scoring the final two points for the Spartans. 

Up next for the Spartans  

Ending their two-game homestand, Upstate Men's Basketball makes their way to Virginia taking on Longwood for Saturday afternoon action on the road at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time live on ESPN+.  

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