The Duo of Cassie Gallagher and Aubrie Kierscht Notch Double-Figures Each in Same Big South Game For the 11th Time, Leading Women's Basketball Against Gardner-Webb

Wednesday, February 25

Spartanburg, S.C.

7:00 p.m.

University of South Carolina Upstate Athletics

10-19,5-10Big South

Gardner-Webb

12-17,9-6Big South

Gardner-Webb

USC Upstate

Photo by: Natalia Moll

2/25/2026 11:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Hitting the floor inside its home gym, the G.B. Hodge Center, for the final time for the team's penultimate game of the 2025-26 regular season, USC Upstate women's basketball displayed its grit and determination as it sought a second straight home victory. Putting themselves in a position to win in the final ticks, the Spartans fell at the buzzer, falling 52-51 Wednesday evening against Gardner-Webb.

Fuelling the Spartans' offense, redshirt sophomore guard Cassie Gallagher and redshirt junior guard Aubrie Kierscht each notched double-figure scoring totals in the same game for the 11^th time during Big South play. Gallagher finished the evening with 17 markers behind 6-of-16 shooting (3-of-6 from three) while Kierscht chipped in 16 points behind 6-of-12 shooting (4-of-10 from three).

Building upon its season strength, Upstate won the rebounding battle for the 12 time in a conference game, outrebounding the Runnin' Bulldogs 37 to 27, posting a double-digit rebounding margin for the eighth time in league play. Following up on her career-high 17 rebounds versus Longwood last Saturday, redshirt junior forward Vera Söderblom corralled another 14 boards against Gardner-Webb, her seventh double-digit rebounding game of the campaign.

Game Information
Score: Gardner-Webb 52; USC Upstate 51
Records: USC Upstate (10-19; 5-10 Big South); Gardner-Webb (12-17; 9-6 Big South)
Location: G.B. Hodge Center | Spartanburg, S.C.

How It Happened
First Quarter

Taking the jump ball, Gardner-Webb tallied the game's first markers on its opening possession, canning a three. Upstate responded with the next seven points, regaining the lead as Aijah Palmore (four points) and Aubrie Kierscht (three points) manufactured the Spartans' first run.
Countering the Spartans to retake the advantage, the Runnin' Bulldogs reeled off the following nine points, holding Upstate scoreless for over six-and-a-half minutes. Vera Söderblom sank a layup as the horn sounded in the frame, pulling Upstate within three.

Second Quarter

Coming out firing to begin the new period, Kierscht connected on a wing three, knotting the game at 12. After a Runnin' Bulldog triple extended their advantage, the Spartans recorded the next five points as a Cassie Gallagher trey and a Kierscht layup put Upstate back out front.
Gardner-Webb snapped the mini Spartan run with a triple before Kierscht answered with one of her own. She scored seven straight markers following the Runnin' Bulldog three, combining with a pull-up jumper from Gallagher to form a 10-0 run, Upstate's longest of the day, forcing a second Gardner-Webb timeout in the frame.

Third Quarter

Spanning the halftime break, Gardner-Webb fashioned a 10-0 run of its own, erasing Upstate's nine-point cushion. The two sides traded the advantage over the next few minutes before a Gallagher trey—Upstate's first field goal in five minutes of game time—formed a three-point lead.
The Spartans held the Runnin' Bulldogs just behind them over the remainder of the corner, outpacing their foe 8-7 into the final 25 seconds of the period. Draining another three, Gardner-Webb regained the advantage at the quarter's close.

Fourth Quarter

Beginning another frame with a three-pointer, Gardner-Webb upped its lead to four with the period's first bucket. Gwen Jenkins answered with a triple of her own, pulling Upstate within one before a Gallagher turnaround jumper put the Spartans back in front.
Ahead of the quarter's scheduled media stoppage, the two sides traded the lead with the Spartans holding the 48-47 advantage at the break. Gallagher knocked down a three-pointer with 3:48 to play before a Runnin' Bulldog jumper with 3:19 to play pulled them back within one.
Knocking down a triple off an offensive rebound, Gardner-Webb reclaimed the advantage with 26 seconds to play. In the final seconds, Upstate had a look at the win, ultimately rolling in favor of its foe.

Up Next for the Spartans
Closing the regular season, Upstate travels to the Triad for a meeting with High Point. The Spartans and Panthers tip off Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

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