Upstate’s late lead fizzles out as CSU caps off comeback

Justin Bailey goes up for shot as USC Upstate hosted Charleston Southern Wednesday. (Photo by Ryan Frye/USC Upstate Athletics)

By Justin Mathis (@J_Math23)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – With the calendar quickly accelerating toward March, Charleston Southern and USC Upstate were both in search of a key win entering Wednesday night's contest.

 

Trailing by two possessions in the late stages, it was CSU who found a spark and rallied for a 63-60 victory, sweeping the Spartans in Big South Conference play. The win also snaps a three-game losing streak for the Buccaneers.

 

Two free throws by Upstate’s Jorge Ochoa tied the game at 50 with 6:28 to play, but A’lahn Sumler answered with a three-pointer that put CSU back in front on the ensuing possession. Following a Sumler free throw that gave the Bucs a two-point lead, Justin Bailey countered with a game-tying layup from the left side with 4:50 left.

 

“Anytime you can win in this league, it feels great,” CSU interim head coach Saah Nimley stated. “I was very pleased with the way our guys came out tonight with their concentration, effort, and their attention to detail on the defensive end. I’ve been pounding into them that we’re the most physical team in the league and that we can be one of the better defensive teams if we really put our mind to it.” 

 

“Tonight, they put their mind to it down by six with three and a half minutes left. We don’t quit.”

 

Bailey’s basket sparked an 8-0 burst for the Spartans that added up to a 60-54 lead with 3:04 left in regulation. During that flurry, Ochoa added a bucket along with two free throws each by Bailey and Nick Alves. However, one member of the Bucs provided a jolt on the next trip up court.

 

Nobal Days followed a missed shot from close range with an offensive rebound and putback that pulled CSU within four points at the 2:47 mark. That basket was part of a personal 6-0 run for Days, which took the Bucs from a six-point deficit to a tie game at 60 with 1:29 remaining in regulation.

 

“We had to make an adjustment,” Nimley pointed out. “Taje’ Kelly wasn’t playing his best game and (Upstate) did a really good job on him tonight. We put Nobal in the game and man, he gave us the spark of the night. He came in, plays tough, and is always in the right spot on the defensive end. He’s a great screen setter, teammate, and gets offensive rebounds. He just makes winning plays.”

 

Less than 30 seconds later, RJ Johnson drew a foul and knocked down both tries from the charity stripe that pushed CSU ahead by a 62-60 margin. After forcing a missed jumper by the Bucs, Upstate corralled the rebound and called its last timeout with 15.2 seconds left to map out one final play. 

 

Upstate’s Miguel Ayesa attempted a triple from the left wing that hit off the back iron and landed in the hands of Johnson, who was sent to the line with 3.5 seconds remaining. Johnson split the free throws, which left the door open for the Spartans. 

 

However, a half-court prayer went unanswered for Upstate, as the Bucs held on for the win.

 

“We just couldn’t close out the game,” lamented Upstate head coach Dave Dickerson. “We had a four-point lead going down the stretch with under three minutes to go. That’s the kind of game at home that you have got to win.” 

 

“This is on me. I’ve got to get this team to be able to rebound the basketball. When it’s February 21, you’ve got to find a way to win. We’ve got to find a way to negate them getting 14 offensive rebounds. Those are the things that kill you because they can get second-chance points. My hat’s off to the coaching staff at Charleston Southern and their players. We just couldn’t put the game away.”

 

Johnson and Sumler led the Bucs with a game-high 19 points, while the latter added eight rebounds. Days just missed double-figures with eight points and five boards. CSU outrebounded the Spartans 43-25 and outscored them 16-5 in second-chance points. As a team, the Bucs were 21-for-55 from the floor.

 

Bailey scored a team-high 17 points and five rebounds for the Spartans, followed by Ochoa (11 points) and Trae Broadnax (10 points, six rebounds). Upstate outscored CSU by a 24-11 margin in bench points, with each side tallying 24 points in the paint.

 

This Saturday, both teams will return to action as Charleston Southern (9-17, 5-8) will host High Point while USC Upstate (9-18, 4-10) travels up Interstate 85 to face Winthrop.