CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Southern women's basketball team is back at the Buc Dome on Wednesday night as they welcome USC Upstate for a 6 p.m. clash with the Spartans.This is the second time that the Bucs (4-19, 2-10 in conference) will see the Spartans (8-14, 5-6 in conference).
USC Upstate
After beating the Bucs in nail-biting fashion 59-57 back on December 31
st, the Spartans got hot, winning five of their next six games to improve their conference record to 5-2. Since the fast start into conference play, they have struggled, losing four in a row with their last one coming on the road at the hands of UNC Asheville by a 68-65 score last Saturday. They currently sit at fifth in the Big South standings.
Defense has been the strength of the Spartans all season. They rank fifth in the Big South in scoring defense, giving up just over 62 points per game; however, they have struggled with shooting the basketball. They are last in the conference in scoring offense, averaging a shade over50 points per game. They are shooting 36.7% from the field, which is seventh in the conference, but have turned the ball over too often. On average, they turn the ball over 22.5 times per game and have a margin of -6.77, which is the worst in the conference. The Bucs are ninth with a -5.70 turnover margin.Â
Head Coach Jason Williams preaches defense. His team guards the perimeter very well, as opponents shoot just 28.1% from beyond the arc, which is the fourth lowest percentage in the Big South. On top of that, they are second in the Big South in rebounding defense, not allowing opponents to have many second-chance points. Their +1rebounding margin is third best in the conference.
Charleston Southern
- After going 2-0 two weeks ago, the Bucs found themselves going 0-2 last week against Gardner-Webb and High Point. Â
- In last week's game against High Point, the Bucs turned the ball over a season-low 13 times, while forcing 13 turnovers on the defensive side.
- Only one person scored in the double-digits last Saturday, and it was Sha'Mya Leigh who scored 20.
- Leigh has been the most reliable piece to the 2022-23 team for Head Coach Clarisse Garcia. The Senior from Dayton, Ohio averages just under 34 minutes per game, which is third in the conference. Against High Point last Saturday, she played all 40 minutes for the sixth time this season, scoring 20 points, which tied for a season-high set on November 13th against Georgia Southern.
- Catherine Alben made just her second start of the season last week against High Point. The Freshman from Atlanta, G.A. has been a force off of the bench, leading the team in points per game with 10. She is averaging 11.3 points per game in conference play, which is tied for the team.Â
- Kennedi Jackson has been a leader on the boards for the Bucs this season. Against Gardner-Webb a week ago, she picked up her fourth double-double of the year, scoring 14 points on 10 rebounds. She just missed out on Player of the Week in the Big South a week ago for her 25-point, 12-rebound performance in the OT win against Longwood on January 28th. She also leads the team with 21 blocks.
- Zaire Hicks broke the top 10 in the Big South this week with 33 steals on the season. Alben is behind her with 27 of her own.
Series History
This series goes all the way back to 1979. USC Upstate leads the all-time series 12-6, but trail the overall series 3-2 since joining the Big South.
Game Details
Who: USC Upstate vs Charleston Southern
When: Wednesday, February 8
th at 6 p.m.
Where: The Buc Dome
How to Watch:
ESPN+
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