ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Opening the new week, Upstate Men's Basketball traveled to UNC Asheville for Big South midweek action where the Bulldogs used their second half momentum after the under 12-minute media timeout to complete the comeback over Upstate with a 76-67 final. 

Karmani Gregory led with his sixth 20+ point performance with 22 points shooting 7-for-15 from the field and tying his career high with seven made free throws from the charity stripe. Carmelo Adkins followed as the second double figure scorer with 12 points, three rebounds and three steals. Isaiah Skinner added nine points with all three scores coming from beyond the arc while adding four rebounds. The battle in the paint between the Bulldogs and Spartans was even with both teams adding 32 points. Upstate outright won the fastbreak battle 17 to UNC Asheville's five along with the battle of the benches belonging to the Spartans 23 to nine. The lead changed nine times between both opponents along with the score being tied twice. The Bulldogs outdueled the Spartans from the field shooting 52 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc. Upstate edged past UNC Asheville in the free throw battle shooting 64 percent. Upstate was outrebounded 35 to 31, but the Spartans were able to corral 10 offensive boards to UNC Asheville's seven. 

Game Information 

Score: UNC Asheville 76; USC Upstate 67 

Records: USC Upstate (10-14; 2-7 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (11-13; 5-5 Big South) 

Location: Kimmel Arena| Asheville, North Carolina 

How it Happened 

First Half 

• Through the first six minutes, both opponents traded leads five times as the Spartans held an early 16-14 lead at the 13:40 mark. 

• Under the 10-minute mark, Asheville went on a 9-0 run leading 25-16. The Spartans charged back with Breylin Garcia converting on two consecutive layups. Two consecutive layups from Carmelo Adkins, followed by a three-pointer by Isaiah Skinner, put the Spartans back ahead 29-25 behind a 13-0 run. 

• Under the one-minute mark, the Bulldogs halted Upstate's run with two consecutive baskets, but the Spartans continued their approach on offense with Tyler Smith converting on a layup followed by Isaiah Skinner adding his third triple of the half. 

Second Half 

• Upstate opened the second half with an 8-2 run behind Karmani Gregory's free throws and jumper holding the lead 42-34. 

• The Spartans continued attacking the paint as their following three scores each were layups from Karmani Gregory, Breylin Garcia and Tyler Smith. Carmelo Adkins followed by stretching the floor with a three-pointer as Upstate led 53-45 at the 10:46 mark. 

• UNC Asheville responded with a three-pointer, two free throws and a triple, cutting their deficit to two. On the following possession, UNC Asheville tied the game at 58 following an and-one layup and free throw.  

• Responding to Mason Bendinger's mid-range jumper, UNC Asheville took their first lead since the 9:07 mark in the first half after a three-pointer. Through the final seven minutes, Asheville outscored Upstate 17-9 to complete their comeback and hold the lead for a 76-67 final. 

Notable 

• Karmani Gregory's 22 points marked his sixth game with 20+ points or more along with 12th game with 15+ points or more. 

• Isaiah Skinner added a new career-high in minutes with 30, his previous career-high being 26 minutes against SC State on December 18, 2024. Skinner also added his fourth game of the season, converting three or more triples. 

Up next for the Spartans  

Following a quick trip down I-26, Upstate Men's Basketball returns to the G.B. Hodge Center hosting Charleston Southern for Saturday afternoon action at 2:00 P.M. Eastern time live on ESPN+.  

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