In their 2nd game since returning to basketball from the Christmas Holiday Break, the Upstate Spartans (7-7 overall, 2-1 in Big South) hosted the High Point University Panthers (8-7, 0-3 Big South) for the 9th all-time meeting between the 2, all having come since Upstate joined the conference in 2018.
2-time Big South Freshman of the Week Justin Bailey (Guard out of Blue Ridge High) came into this game looking to build on the momentum of consecutive games scoring in double figures (his 2nd time this season having done so), with 12 points in a 65-60 win against Radford back on Wednesday night and 16 in the Spartans’ 90-85 loss to Charleston Southern back on New Years Eve.
It did not take but about 2:00 for him to get the scoring started for the Spartans today, nailing a 3 just under the 19 minute mark, helping spark an 11-4 run leading into the first media timeout and helping set the tone for the game.
The Spartans held the Panthers scoreless for nearly 5 minutes late in the first half, helping them to build a 12 point advantage and only built on that in the 2nd half. USC Upstate opened the 2nd half on a 10-3 run behind back to back 3s from Senior Guard Mysta Goodloe and layups from Justin Bailey and Redshirt Sophomore Guard Trae Broadnax (transfer from Navy), which ultimately helped to salt it away despite the back and forth nature of the rest of the game. Upstate pulled out to a 20 point lead around the 5:00 mark of the 2nd half and was able to win it in dominant fashion 76-57.
The Spartans remain undefeated on the season at the Hodge Center and upped their record to 8-7, 3-1 in conference, led by Jordan Gainey with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting. Justin Bailey logged double digits for the 4th consecutive game, finishing with 12 points on 5 of 9 from the field. Trae Broadnax also tallied 12 points on 5 of 9 from the floor with 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Upstate gets back to action this Wednesday night at 7:00, hosting the Campbell Fighting Camels at the Hodge Center.
