SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by defensive pressure and critical late-game execution, the Winthrop Eagles edged the South Carolina Upstate Spartans 66-64 in a Big South Conference women’s basketball matchup on Wednesday night at the G.B. Hodge Center.

The contest, a low-efficiency affair for both sides, was ultimately decided in the final 45 seconds by a decisive steal and score from Winthrop’s Amourie Porter. The Eagles improved to 9-8 overall, while the Spartans fell to 5-12.

Porter, a guard from Glen Burnie, Maryland, delivered a game-high 25 points on 11-of-23 shooting, adding a steal and a block in 33 minutes. Her backcourt mate, Madison Ruff of Sparta, Georgia, contributed 12 points. Their efforts countered a standout performance from South Carolina Upstate’s Cassie Gallagher, who scored 22 points, dished three assists and blocked two shots in 38 minutes. Kinley Paterson of Perth, Australia, facilitated the Spartan offense with 10 points and five assists.

The game unfolded as a tense, back-and-forth struggle with neither team able to establish a commanding lead. Winthrop held a narrow 35-34 advantage at halftime, but the Spartans used a 9-2 run late in the third quarter to build their largest lead of the game at 51-45 heading into the final period.

South Carolina Upstate maintained a slim margin for much of the fourth quarter, with Gallagher hitting a crucial three-pointer assisted by Paterson to extend the lead to 64-61 with just over two minutes remaining. The Spartans’ offense then went cold, failing to score on their final four possessions.

The most important sequence of the game began with Winthrop trailing 64-62. After a missed Spartan opportunity, the Eagles’ Ryiah Wilson of South Bend, Indiana, intercepted a pass from Gallagher with 1:23 remaining. Wilson immediately found Porter streaking ahead for a transition layup to tie the game.

On the ensuing Spartan possession, Porter again read the play, stripping the ball from Gwen Jenkins near midcourt with 1:04 left. She drove uncontested for another layup, putting Winthrop ahead 66-64, their first lead since the third quarter.

South Carolina Upstate had two final chances to tie or win. After a timeout, Paterson’s step-back jumper missed with three seconds left. Winthrop’s Tocarra Johnson secured the defensive rebound, was fouled, and missed the ensuing free throw, but the Spartans’ desperation heave from beyond half-court was off target as time expired.

Statistically, the game was won on the strength of Winthrop’s defensive activity and ball security in key moments. The Eagles forced 21 Spartan turnovers, converting them into 11 steals. Winthrop also assisted on 11 of their 28 made field goals, demonstrating better ball movement compared to Upstate’s six assists. The Spartans held a significant advantage on the offensive glass, grabbing 11 rebounds to Winthrop’s six, but could not translate those extra chances into enough points down the stretch.

Both teams struggled from beyond the arc. Winthrop shot a frigid 2 for 14 from three-point range, while South Carolina Upstate connected on 8 of 28 attempts. The Eagles were more efficient inside, shooting 46.7% on two-point field goals compared to the Spartans’ 36.7%.

Winthrop returns to action Saturday at home against Charleston Southern. South Carolina Upstate travels to face Gardner-Webb on Saturday.