SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The High Point men's basketball team struggled to get an edge over USC Upstate, dropping the Big South conference game, 57-76 in Spartanburg.
Site: Eddie & Ann Payne Arena
Score: High Point 57, USC Upstate 76
Records: High Point (8-8,0-4) USC Upstate (8-7,3-1)
G.G. Smith: " Obviously, this is a deflating loss for us. I give Upstate a lot of credit, they are a balanced team and really get up and guard you. Gainey is a tough matchup for anyone in our league. He's plays with great patience & poise. For us, we have to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start guarding better as a team. We have to play more unselfish and trust the system. We need to play better to have a chance to win at Charleston Southern."
The Spartans sticky defense limited the Panthers number of clean shots through the game.
Jaden House's pump fake and drive to the basket early in the game, made it 6-11.
USC Upstate took an eight-point lead after six minutes of play, before a rebound by
Justin Taylor carried over into an
Abdoulaye Thiam three.
High Points closest margin to the Spartans happened at the 12:28 mark, after
Zack Austin tracked down a rebound for a tip-in dunk.
Thiam knocked down a jumper in the lane before the break to make it 29-37, USC Upstate.
Coming out of the half, High Point had a hard time getting buckets to drop for them, going 8-for-25 in the final 20 minutes of play.
Mid-way through the half, Austin ripped the net on a three from the top of the key after his defender flew by him on a steal attempt, keeping the Panthers within 16.
High Point could not break the threshold as the Spartans kept the pressure on down the stretch, taking the game, 57-76
Up Next: High Point remains on the road and returns to South Carolina for a Big South matchup with Charleston Southern on Wednesday, January 11 at 7:00 pm.
#GoHPU
