Upcoming Match: USC Upstate vs. Marshall
Date: November 21, 2025
Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
USC Upstate Triumphs Over South Carolina State
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate’s women’s basketball team returned to the G.B. Hodge Center, continuing their dominance at home with a solid 78-69 victory over South Carolina State. This win improved their series record to 10-2 against the Bulldogs, marking the Spartans’ fifth consecutive victory in this matchup, and upholding an unblemished 6-0 home record.
Key Performances
A standout contribution came from redshirt junior guard Aubrie Kierscht, who registered a career-high 26 points, including eight field goals and six three-pointers. This scoring effort was ranked as the second-best by a Big South player this season and marked the highest individual scoring output from a Spartan since Isabell West scored 29 points in December 2023.
Among other notable performances, redshirt sophomore guard Cassie Gallagher scored 18 points, all in the second half, with an impressive 11 of those points coming in the final quarter. Redshirt freshman forward Madison Miller added 8 points on an efficient shooting night, going 3-of-4 from the field.
Shooting Highlights
As a team, the Spartans displayed exceptional shooting accuracy, shooting 53.3% (24-of-45) from the field—marking their best performance since hitting 54.2% against North Florida in late November 2023. The team also successfully made 10 three-pointers at a 50% conversion rate, showing their ability to spread the floor effectively.
Rebounding and Defense
In rebounding efforts, redshirt junior forward Vera Söderblom made her presence felt by recording 10 rebounds, becoming the first Spartan this season to attain double-digit rebounds in a game.
Game Flow Overview
First Quarter
The game began with South Carolina State taking an early lead. However, USC Upstate regrouped and seized a 6-0 run, ultimately closing the quarter ahead by a narrow margin after taking control in the final moments.
Second Quarter
Continuing their momentum, the Spartans opened the second quarter with a scoring run, bolstered by Kierscht’s 14-point contribution during this period, ensuring Upstate maintained their lead.
Third Quarter
Following halftime, Upstate faced a brief challenge from South Carolina State, who cut the lead to one. Yet, the Spartans responded well, expanding their advantage to 10 points by the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Bulldogs fought back in the final quarter but ultimately could not overcome the Spartans’ lead. Gallagher’s crucial free throws in the closing moments sealed the game for Upstate.
Looking Ahead
The Spartans will next head back on the road to face Marshall and Morehead State in a multi-team event in the Bluegrass State. Their matchup against Marshall is set for 12:00 p.m. ET next Friday, followed by a contest against Morehead State on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. ET.
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