SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Four Presbyterian players scored in double-figures, but the Blue Hose (14-15, Big South: 7-7) rally came up short in a 76-74 loss to the USC Upstate Spartans (12-17, Big South: 4-10) on Saturday afternoon.

Carl Parrish paced the Blue Hose with 20 points while connecting on four three-point field goals. Jonah Pierce and Jaylen Peterson scored 14 points apiece. Triston Wilson scored 11 points to round out the Blue Hose double-figure scorers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF – USC Upstate scored the game's first six points. Pierce got the Blue Hose on the scoreboard with a jump hook in the lane. USC Upstate held a 23-10 lead nine minutes into the game. Then, Presbyterian went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, cutting the Spartans' lead to 23-18 after a layup from Wilson with 9:13 on the clock. Wilson scored seven points during the scoring run.  Presbyterian was not able to get any closer the rest of the half as USC Upstate took a 47-34 lead into the halftime locker room.


SECOND HALF – USC Upstate held a 14-point lead, 57-43, with 15:43 on the clock.  Presbyterian scored nine of the next 11 points, cutting USC Upstate's lead to 59-52, after a fast break layup from Peterson with 12 minutes on the clock. The Spartans pushed their lead back to double-figures, 62-52. With 10:50 on the clock, USC Upstate held a 64-54 lead. Presbyterian went on an 11-2 scoring run over the next three minutes, cutting USC Upstate's lead to 66-65 after an inside score from Peterson, who scored eight points during the run.  The Spartans pushed their lead to three points, 68-65; however, after an inside score from Pierce and two free throws from Parrish,  the Blue Hose took a 69-68 lead with four minutes on the clock. The Spartans made two free throws to regain the lead. Then, Pierce scored inside, putting the Blue Hose back in front, 71-70. USC Upstate scored six straight points to regain the lead for good. Parrish knocked down a three from the wing with 17 seconds on the clock, cutting USC Upstate's lead to two points, but the Blue Hose were not able to get any closer.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• After allowing USC Upstate to score 47 points on 70 percent shooting in the first half, the Blue Hose defense clamped down in the second half, holding the Spartans to 29 points on 35 percent shooting.
• Parrish's 20 points were his fifth 20-point scoring game of the season.
• Peterson, who scored 14 points all in the second half, recorded his 15^th double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Pierce's 14 points marked his 26^th double-digit scoring game of the season.
• Wilson's 11 points marked his 15^th double-figure scoring game of the season.

 
NEXT GAME
Presbyterian plays High Point in the Templeton Center in a game broadcast on national TV on ESPNU this Thursday, February 26, at 7 p.m.