SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — On a afternoon where offensive efficiency was at a premium, the South Carolina Upstate Spartans leveraged a decisive second-half surge and a standout performance from Karmani Gregory to pull away from the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs 71-61 in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the G.B. Hodge Center.

The victory improved the Spartans to 13-18 overall, while Gardner-Webb’s difficult season continued, falling to 3-28.

The game’s pivotal sequence arrived early in the second half, transforming what had been a tight contest into a comfortable Upstate lead. Holding a 31-24 halftime advantage, the Spartans opened the final period with a 12-4 run, ignited by a Carmelo Adkins three-pointer and capped by a Gregory three-point play. That spurt pushed the lead to 43-28, a margin Gardner-Webb would challenge but never seriously threaten.

South Carolina Upstate’s offense, while not spectacular from the field, proved more effective and opportunistic. The Spartans scored 71 points on 73 possessions, an offensive rating of 97.6, and were nearly flawless from the free-throw line, converting nine of 10 attempts. Gardner-Webb, by contrast, managed only 61 points on 71 possessions, an offensive rating of 86.2, and struggled profoundly at the charity stripe, making just three of eight free throws.

Karmani Gregory, a 6-foot-1 guard from Palmetto, Florida, was the catalyst for the Spartans. He scored a game-high 22 points in 27 minutes, adding five assists, two blocks and two steals. His ability to score at all three levels and facilitate for others was the central component of Upstate’s offensive execution. Gregory’s backcourt mate, Mason Bendinger of Salt Lake City, provided crucial support with 15 points in 34 minutes.

Gardner-Webb was led by Jacob Hudson, a sophomore guard from Houston, Texas, who finished with 16 points. Spence Sims of Fairhope, Alabama, added 12 points off the bench, all from beyond the arc. The Runnin’ Bulldogs’ interior presence, Jacob Hogarth of Brooklyn, New York, contributed four points, five assists and three blocks, but the team’s overall shooting woes—25 of 60 from the field and 8 of 23 from three-point range—proved insurmountable.

The first half was a ragged affair defined by missed opportunities. Gardner-Webb opened with a quick 5-0 lead, but Upstate responded with a 14-2 run, largely fueled by forward Breylin Garcia, who scored eight early points. The Spartans maintained control for the remainder of the half, though they were unable to extend the lead beyond single digits as both teams combined for 23 turnovers before the break.

The second half told a different story. After Upstate’s initial burst, Gardner-Webb showed flashes of resistance, with Sims and Hudson connecting from deep to cut the deficit to 49-41 with just over 12 minutes remaining. Each time the Runnin’ Bulldogs threatened, however, Gregory answered. He scored on a driving layup, then found Adkins for another easy bucket to stabilize the Spartan advantage.

Upstate’s defense also tightened, forcing 13 Gardner-Webb turnovers and converting them into 15 points. The Spartans also dominated in the paint, outscoring Gardner-Webb 44-28, and won the battle on the glass with a 38-33 rebounding edge.

The result avenged a 67-65 loss to Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs just over a month ago on Jan. 23. For South Carolina Upstate, it provided a positive conclusion to the home schedule. For Gardner-Webb, it marked another frustrating chapter in a season where narrow margins and offensive struggles have been a persistent theme.