SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Winthrop women's basketball program started slowly Wednesday evening, and despite a late push, fell to USC Upstate on the road.  
 
Winthrop (4-18, 2-9) | USC Upstate (18-5, 10-2)
Feb. 9, 2022 | G.B. Hodge Center USC Upstate 59, Winthrop 47

How it Happened
First Quarter | The teams traded baskets early on and were tied 4-4 a couple minutes into the opening quarter. A Sydney Hunter layup gave the Eagles an early 6-5 lead, but the homestanding Spartans responded with an 11-2 run for a 16-8 lead. Each team scored once from there on and USC Upstate took an 18-10 lead heading into the second period.

Second Quarter | A three pointer from Antoaneta Alexe cut the lead to five early in the stanza, but Spartans used an 8-0 run for a 26-13 lead. Winthrop scored four of the last seven points to trail by 12 going into the locker room.
 
Third Quarter | Winthrop used a 6-2 lead to get within eight points just over two minutes into the second half, but another 8-0 run from USC Upstate extended their lead back to 16. A Luka Malinka long ball ended the run, but the Spartans kept playing well and stretched the lead to 43-26. Alexe then netted her second three of the contest, which was countered with two free throws as USC Upstate took a 16-point lead into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter | The Eagles cut the lead to 13 on a Leonor Paisana free throw, giving the visitors hope with seven and a half minutes to play. A 5-0 run from the Spartans gave the home team an eighteen point lead, although Winthrop battled back. Two J'Mani Ingram free throws cut the lead to nine with 1:13 to play before USC Upstate used two layups and a free throw to stretch the lead late. A Malinka jumper provided the final margin. Statistical Standouts

• J'Mani Ingram (12 points, 6-6 FT, five rebounds, two assists, five steals)
• Myra Strickland (seven points, one assist, one steal)
• Caroline De Klauman (six points, 3-3 FG, three rebounds, one assist, two blocks)

Up Next
Winthrop continues conference play with a home contest against Longwood inside the Winthrop Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 12. FOLLOW US!
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