SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Returning home riding a two-game road winning streak and busting up a stretch of three of four games played away from the G.B. Hodge Center, USC Upstate women's basketball rekindles the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Saturday against UNC Asheville, hosting the program's annual Play4Kay game. The Spartans seek a split of the season series with the Bulldogs, looking to extend their 14-12 lead in the overall series.
 
Saturday's Matchup
February 14, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate (8-17; 3-8 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (9-16; 4-8 Big South)
G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.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 (8-17; 3-8 Big South); UNC Asheville (9-16; 4-8 Big South)
Series: USC Upstate leads 14-12
Last Five Meetings: Jan. 21, 2026 (AVL 57; UPST 56); 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)
 
Players to Watch
USC Upstate: For the second straight game, a Spartan set the Big South's high-water mark for rebounds in a game as graduate student forward Aijah Palmore corralled a season-high 21 rebounds Wednesday. The game stands as her 11^th double-digit rebounding game of the season, second-most among conference players in 2025-26, upping her season rebounding average to 8.2 boards per game. Palmore supplements her rebounding with a scoring average of 6.2 points per game, shooting 49.6 percent from the field.
 
UNC Asheville: The leading scorer and rebounder for the Bulldogs, sophomore guard Nia Green, enters Saturday's contest averaging 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The first-year Bulldog rides a five-game streak of double-figure scoring games after not reaching double-figures in the first meeting with the Spartans. Green shoots 48.9 percent from the field this season while adding 62 assists, 40 steals, and 27 blocks.
 
Up Next for the Spartans
Returning to the road for the penultimate time this season, USC Upstate heads to Radford next Wednesday. The Spartans and Highlanders meet for a 7:00 p.m. ET tip.
 
Connect with the Spartans 
Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics 
Twitter | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
Instagram | @UpstateWBB | @UpstateSpartans 
YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans
 
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Ingles I-26 Rivalry Food Drive: Support Miracle Hill Ministries in Spartanburg by donating to the Ingles I-26 Rivalry Series Food Drive through Saturday, February 14. All donations stay local, and donors may scan the QR code on donation bins for a free ticket to an upcoming Upstate basketball game. For donation locations and more information, click here.