JOHNSON CITY Tenn. – Beginning postseason play at the Air Force Reserve Big South Championship, USC Upstate men’s basketball faced the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs for a second straight game. In a close contest that saw 17 lead changes, the Spartans ultimately fell 65-64.

Isaiah Skinner led all Spartans with 18 points, shooting six for 10 from the field and two for five behind the arc. Skinner was perfect from the charity stripe, going four for four while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out three assists. Breylin Garcia contributed 11 points on five of seven shooting, adding five rebounds alongside one steal. Last in the trio of Spartans who posted double figures, Karmani Gregory totaled 10 points, shooting three of seven from the three-point line. Gregory also added three assists.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs won the battle on the glass, grabbing 32 rebounds compared to the Spartans’ 30. Gardner-Webb scored 21 points off turnovers and 11 points on fast breaks compared to the 13 points off turnovers and five fast break points.

Game Information

Score: Gardner-Webb 65; USC Upstate 64

Records: USC Upstate (13-19; 4-11 Big South) vs. Gardner-Webb (4-28; 1-15)

Location: Freedom Hall | Johnson City, Tennessee

How It Happened

First Half


Breylin Garcia opened the scoring with a tip-in layup. Gardner-Webb quickly responded with a three, but Isaiah Skinner answered right back with a jump shot.
The Spartans jumped out to a 12-point lead with 6:58 left in the first, fueled by a Skinner three-pointer followed by free throws by Mason Bendinger and a Gregory three-pointer.
Near the end of the first, Learic Davis netted a jumper, giving the Spartans a 30-24 advantage. The Runnin’ Bulldogs sank two free throws and drilled a three-pointer to bring the score within one at the break.

Second Half


Neither team scored until two minutes into the half when Gardner-Webb made a second-chance layup. Breylin Garcia quickly responded by making a layup.
A three by Carmelo Adkins gave the Spartans a two-point advantage, only to be answered by a three from Gardner-Webb. Out of the media timeout, the Spartans saw themselves down three, by responded with another Adkins three to tie the game.
In the last two minutes of the game, both teams traded shots with the lead changing six times. Gardner-Webb made two free throws in the closing seconds of the game to end up with the one point advantage.

Notables

UP Next for the Spartans
The Spartans have concluded the 2025-2026 season.
 
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