SPARTANBURG, S.C – The High Point University women's basketball team now own sole possession of first place in the Big South after defeating USC Upstate 53-50 on Wednesday night.
Site: G.B. Hodge Center
Score: High Point 53, USC Upstate 50
Records: High Point (15-10, 10-2), USC Upstate (14-11, 9-3)
Head Coach Chelsea Banbury: "I am really happy that we were able to come in here and get a win on the road. Really proud of how the girls responded in the fourth quarter. Being down 11, we made plays, Bevis hit a big three, and a few steals that that we turned into points. I am excited because this is the first time we've come together and be the team to make the plays and come from behind. I think that is a bright spot for us and I am looking forward to moving on from here."
The first quarter of play was a little slow as both teams were playing defense and not allowing their opponent to score.
Cydney Johnson hit a jumper in the paint to get the scoring going for the Panthers.
Upstate was able to hold HPU to only 11 points in the first quarter as it was 13-11 after the first 10 minutes of play.
The second quarter continued to be a battle for points as both teams were feeding off each other to score.
Nakyah Terrell drained a quick three in the first three minutes to bring the Spartans lead to one, 15-14.
High Point took its first lead of the game when
Shakira Baskerville worked her way in the paint to get the basket to lift the Panthers to a 20-19 lead with two minutes left in the half.
USC Upstate headed to the locker up 23-21.
In the third quarter, it took about two minutes for either team to get a basket. Johnson was fouled and she hit both of her free throws to tie it at 23.
The Spartans pulled ahead by two right after that, but Navaeh Zavala tied it back up in the paint off the feed from Terrell.
Later in the quarter, USC Upstate pulled away with an eight-point lead with 3:24 left.
High Point worked its way back to within six, 30-36.
A three pointer and a good layup led to the Spartans taking an eleven-point lead into the fourth quarter, 41-30.
Lauren Bevis quickly came out and splashed a three to cut the lead to eight with 8:36 remaining.
High Point would eventually go on a 9-0 run as the Spartans could not find their way past 48 points.
Baskerville made a great steal and ran down the court for a layup to give HPU a one-point lead with 1:45 left in the game, 49-48.
The Spartans went back up the court and hit a jump shot to go back up 50-49 with 1:12 remaining.
Neither team found the basket in the next 1:07 until Zavala was fouled and went to the line. She went 1-2 but tied the game at 50.
USC Upstate made a few late fouls with under five seconds remaining which brought Bevis to the line. She hit one of her shots to take a one-point lead.
The Spartans would then turn the ball over with three seconds remaining. With one second left in regulation, they fouled
Callie Scheier to bring her to the line. Scheier hit both of her free throws to secure the 53-50 win for the Panthers.
High Point outscored the Spartans 23-9 in the fourth quarter.
Bevis led the team in points as she recorded 11. Terrell had 10, and Zavala had eight.
High Point splits the regular season series with the Spartans 1-1. This win broke the tie and gave HPU first place in the Big South with four games remaining in the regular season.
The Panthers are 9-1 in the last 10 games and are currently on a six-game win streak.
Up Next: High Point hits the road again to face Radford on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
#H3U x #GoHPU
