CLINTON, S.C. - The Blue Hose led by as many as 10 points in the second half, but saw USC Upstate draw even to force overtime before the Spartans took a 78-73 win on Thursday night at the Templeton Center.  Shonda Burnside (Gray Court, S.C.) dumped in a career-high 24 points to lead all scorers.

"I am very proud of our effort tonight," said head coach Ronny Fisher.  "We had plenty of chances but it was Upstate that converted its chances down the stretch.  Tonight's game is something we will build on going forward." 

PC falls to 2-4 on the year while the Spartans improve to 2-2.  The loss is PC's third straight against its I-26 rival.  The Spartans now lead the all-time series 20-17.

The Spartans were paced by Chelsea McMillan who scored 20 points and added 10 rebounds for a double-double.  Upstate committed 30 total turnovers in the game but shot .500 from the field (27-of-54) and .375 (6-of-16) from downtown.

Four Blue Hose scored in double-figures on the night with Dria David (Lawrenceville, Ga.) scoring a season-high 12 points, a career-high 12 from Karlee Taylor (Asheville, N.C.) and a robust 10 points from Mariah Pietrowski (Elizabethton, Tenn.) who fouled out late in regulation. 

The teams were tied 29-29 at the break with PC a perfect 2-for-2 from downtown.  Out of the break, Upstate took a five-point lead by 17:48 but the Blue Hose erased it in a matter of two minutes.  PC earned the reversal and eventually went up by 10 points on a three-pointer by Taylor at 10:06. 

PC held the advantage until the 5:58 mark when Lauren McRoberts drained a pair of unanswered treys to cut the lead to four points in less than a minute.  The Spartans continued to whittle at the lead before taking a 59-58 lead at 1:52.  Entering the final minute of regulation, PC led by two, but a pair of free throws leveled the teams with 38 seconds left.

After a 30-second Blue Hose timeout, Burnside drove the lane and made a spectacular layup, with a foul, to give PC a two-point lead pending the free throw with 16 seconds left.  The sophomore made the freebie and Upstate took the ball down court.  With time winding down, it was Upstate's McMillan who came up clutch to drain a three-pointer to force the sixth tie of the game with just six seconds remaining.

A delay to adjust the clock gave PC time to set for a final shot.  David brought the ball down court but was unable to take a potential game-winning shot due to the tough defense.  The teams faced overtime tied at 64-64

To start overtime, PC went up 66-64 before being tied again.  PC would never lead by more than two in the extra period and not after the 2:00 mark.  Chelsea Parker (Asheville, N.C.) scored all four of her points in overtime to lead the Blue Hose in the extra frame.

It was USC Upstate who made the clutch baskets in extra time taking a three-point lead with 36 ticks left and making free throws in the final seconds to put the game out of reach.

PC shot .418 (23-of-55) in the game and .444 (4-of-9) from the outside but was ultimately hampered by 27 turnovers including 15 steals.  The Spartans scored 35 points off turnovers and 14 on the fast break.  PC ruled the second chance points battle 17-7 and the teams were tied 28-28 in the paint.  PC was out-rebounded for only the second time this season (36-to-35).

The Ironwoman Award went to senior Amanda Mills (Oregon City, Ore.) who played a career-high 43 minutes of the contest's 45 total minutes. 

The crowd of 655 fans were boisterous inside the Templeton Center including a large contingent from the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity who presented roses to the team before the game.

PC takes to the road for a Sunday matinee against Clemson inside Littlejohn Coliseum.  The Blue Hose will attempt to tame the Tigers on Sunday starting at 2 p.m.