Jan. 7, 2008

Big South Sports Edge (Video Streaming) | Live Stats
Complete UNC Asheville Game Notes in PDF Format

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - On the heels of a two-game losing streak, the USC Upstate women's basketball team will play its fourth game of a 10-game swing in 26 days at UNC Asheville on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Upstate enters the game at 4-8 overall, but the team hasn't lost more than two games in a row at any point during this season. The Spartans are led by sophomore Courtney Hawkins, who averaged 12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.17 steals per game. The 5-4 guard is also in the top five in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made. Junior Courtney Bradley is currently at the top of the conference in assists, averaging 4.3 per game.

The defending Big South champions, UNC Asheville enters Tuesday's game 8-8 on the season under sixth-year head coach Betsy Blose. The Bulldogs have played five games against the Atlantic Sun Conference, winning games at home against Gardner-Webb, Campbell and Mercer.

The Bulldogs are led by Ashton Barton, who averages 12.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Barton is lethal from outside, hitting 33 3-pointers in 16 games this year.

Upstate has played two Big South opponents on the road this season, beating Charleston Southern on Nov. 16 and losing at Radford on Jan. 3.

Spartan Notables
• The last time the Spartans and Bulldogs played was 1985, when the Spartans were still a member of the NAIA and the school was still USC Spartanburg.
• The Spartans are 2-5 all-time on Jan. 8, last beating North Florida, 71-60, in 2005.
• Upstate is 63-59 all-time against teams from North Carolina, and is 19-30 in the Tar Heel State.
• Junior Courtney Bradley is eight assists shy of passing Jametria Hannah (1988-92) for third in school history with 318 career assists.
• Junior Courtney Bradley needs five steals to become the 19th player in school history with 100 in a career.
• Freshman Kimberly Pitman posted a career-high seven rebounds in 23 minutes at ETSU.
• Junior Cherale Powell has tied or notched a career-high in points in each of the last three games, posting 13 at ETSU.
• Junior Kelly Westfield is averaging 3.1 points and 2.7 rebounds off the bench in the last seven games.
• Junior Ebony Johnson needs two blocked shots to become the 11th player in school history to reach 25 in a career.
• Head coach Tammy George enters tonight's game looking for her 75th win in her fifth season as a head coach.