SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Winston Hill scored 17 points with a career-high four block shots but the Presbyterian Blue Hose (11-17, Big South: 3-10) suffered a narrow 60-55 loss at the USC Upstate Spartans (11-14, Big South: 8-5).
 
Ambaka Le Gregam scored eight points off the bench. Terrell Ard, Jr., Marquis Barnett, and Trevon Reddish-Rhone tallied seven points apiece. Rayshon Harrison grabbed eight rebounds.
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF – USC Upstate scored six of the game's first eight points. The Blue Hose behind two baskets from Ard and a basket by Hill scored six straight points taking an 8-6 lead four minutes into the contest. USC Upstate scored four straight points regaining the lead 10-8. Presbyterian jumped back in front 12-11 after two free throws from Kobe Stewart with 10:43 on the clock. The lead exchanged hands several times over the next two minutes. Then, Brandon Younger knocked down a three from the corner pushing the Blue Hose in front, 19-17, with nine minutes on the clock.  The Spartans scored four straight points moving back in front. With USC Upstate leading 28-23 with 3:49 on the clock, the Blue Hose scored seven of the half's final nine points sending the game into halftime tied at 30.
 
SECOND HALF – Barnett started the second half scoring with a three from the wing. Then, USC Upstate scored seven straight points taking a 37-33 lead. Presbyterian tied the score at 39 after scoring six of the next eight points. The Spartans would regain the lead by two. The Blue Hose behind baskets by Hill and Le Gregam pushed ahead, 43-41. USC Upstate scored four straight points regaining the lead. The lead changed hands several times over the next few minutes. With USC Upstate leading 51-48 with 6:24 on the clock, a three-point play by Reddish-Rhone and a layup by Barnett gave the Blue Hose a 53-51 lead. The Spartans scored four straight points taking a 55-53 lead. Hill connected on a jump shot in the lane tying the score at 55. However, Presbyterian was not able to retake the lead and some timely free-throw shooting by the Spartans closed out the USC Upstate win.
 

NOTES

• Hill tallied his 13^th double-digit scoring game of the season and the 25^th of his career with his 17 points. Hill recorded a career-high four blocked shots in the game.
• Le Gregam scored a season-high-tying eight points.
• Presbyterian totaled a season-high nine block shots.

 
NEXT GAME
The Blue Hose return to the Templeton Center to play Gardner-Webb this Saturday, February 19 at 4 p.m.