Excitement and inspiration filled the G.B. Hodge Center on the morning of December 19 as USC Upstate Women’s Basketball powered through a 65-59 victory over Lees-McRae during Ingles Education Day. The event welcomed hundreds of middle and high school students, homeschool families, and basketball enthusiasts for an unforgettable day of sportsmanship and community connection.
The day began on a high note as the Florence Chapel Middle School choir delivered a stirring rendition of the national anthem, setting the tone for the day’s excitement. The Spartans returned home for the first time in nearly three weeks, feeding off the energy of the loud and enthusiastic crowd. The win marked the team’s first wire-to-wire victory of the season, showcasing determination and teamwork in a high-stakes matchup.
Cassie Gallagher, a redshirt freshman, delivered a career-best performance with 17 points, including five three-pointers, tying the season’s single-game high for USC Upstate. Junior guard Jeni Levine contributed 10 points, while senior forward AC Markham dominated the boards with a career-high 12 rebounds, leading the Spartans to a +18 rebounding margin.
In addition to the thrilling on-court action, the day resonated deeply with attendees. Educators and families shared heartfelt feedback about the impact of the event:
- Jamie Landon, 8th Grade Teacher: “We cannot thank you enough for the experience yesterday. Many of our students are new to basketball, and visiting a local, affordable college was the perfect way to inspire them to dream big. The game was thrilling, and our students were ecstatic to meet the women’s basketball team, who graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures.”
- Leslie Morgan, Homeschool Parent: “As a homeschool family on a budget, we can’t always attend games, but this opportunity was incredible! The energy in the arena was amazing, and my boys are already asking to come back for another game.”
- Dr. Deaton, Principal, Clifdale Middle School: “Clifdale Middle loves attending the Ingles Education Day at USC Upstate each December. This experience gives them a glimpse of college life and athletic events, opening their eyes to the opportunities right here in Spartanburg.”
The Spartans started strong, opening the game with an 11-0 scoring run that set the tone for their dominant performance. Despite a resilient effort from Lees-McRae, Upstate’s defense and clutch shooting held firm in the final minutes.
The victory marked an essential milestone as USC Upstate concluded its non-conference schedule. With the win, the Spartans look to build momentum as they head into Big South play.
USC Upstate opens its Big South Conference schedule on January 2, 2025, hosting Winthrop at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to pack the G.B. Hodge Center and continue the electrifying support that fueled the Spartans’ success on Ingles Education Day.
More photos of the event can be found here and here.
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