ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winthrop women's basketball falls to USC Upstate, 66-59, in the regular season finale. The Eagles finish with a 11-18 overall record, with a 8-12 conference mark.  
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles jumped out to a 9-0 lead to open the contest before Upstate went on an 8-0 run of its own to make it a one point game. Winthrop went to the line three times, recording five out of six makes to take a six point lead. Winthrop led by seven as the first quarter came to an end. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the second quarter, with Upstate quietly chipping away at Winthrop's lead. The game was tied at 31 going into the locker room after 20 minutes. The Eagles were narrowly outscored in the third quarter 14-11. Destinee Jamison-Whitfield drained a shot from behind the arc with 16 seconds left in the third to make it a one possession contest. Myra Strickland was the offensive spark Winthrop needed to kick off the last 10 minutes of play, coming in and sinking back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game and then to take the lead, 48-45. Upstate responded with a 9-0 run to take a 59-54 lead with 4:47 to play. The Eagles held Upstate to no field goals in the remaining four minutes but five good free throws gave them the 66-59 win. Winthrop and Upstate split the season series, each winning on the road.

KEY PLAYERS
Kem Nwabudu (16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists)
Anika Riley (10 points, 5 rebounds 1 steal)
Maleeah Langstaff (10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist)

NOTABLES

• Eagles out rebounded the Spartans, 42-39
• Winthrop committed 18 turnovers, resulting in 15 points for Upstate.
• Upstate turned the ball over just nine times, resulting in seven points for the Eagles.
• Kem Nwabudu recorded her third double-double of the season with her 16-point, 12-rebound performance.
• The Eagles totaled 16 bench points led by Myra Strickland with seven.
• 24 of Winthrop's 59 points were scored in the paint.
• The women's basketball program recognized two-year starter Miquela Santoro, Marissa Cantrell and Uchechi Ufochukwu as a part of senior day prior to tip-off
• Winthrop's started accounted for 43 of its 59 points.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
The Big South Tournament is on deck for Winthrop women's basketball. The official seeding for the tournament will be released later Saturday evening. Winthrop is projected to be a No. 7 seed with its loss to USC Upstate. If the Eagles and the Lancers tie with an 8-12 record, Winthrop holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series. More information to follow.