South Carolina Upstate Defeats Gardner-Webb 71-61
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · G.B. Hodge Center
South Carolina Upstate Spartans 71, Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 61, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs vs South Carolina Upstate Spartans?
South Carolina Upstate Spartans beat Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 71-61 at G.B. Hodge Center on February 28, 2026.
Who was favored in Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs vs South Carolina Upstate Spartans?
South Carolina Upstate Spartans were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -950 (about 90% implied). The favorite won.
In a matchup that showcased contrasting fortunes, the South Carolina Upstate Spartans secured a 71-61 victory over the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at the G.B. Hodge Center. The Spartans, with a home record of 13-18, faced a Gardner-Webb team struggling with an away record of 3-28. This game was particularly noteworthy as it marked the fourth consecutive win for Gardner-Webb against South Carolina Upstate, with the previous meetings resulting in losses for the Spartans.
The Spartans entered the game with a record of 3-7 in their last ten outings, having averaged 71.0 points scored and 77.0 points allowed during that stretch. Their recent form included a loss to the Radford Highlanders just a day prior, where they fell 59-71. In contrast, Gardner-Webb had been on a dismal run, losing eight straight games and holding a record of 1-9 in their last ten, averaging 68.0 points scored and 82.8 points allowed. Their last game ended in a 71-77 defeat against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs.
At home, South Carolina Upstate had a record of 3-2 in their last five games, while Gardner-Webb struggled significantly on the road, with a 0-5 record in their last five away games. The odds from DraftKings reflected the disparity in form, with South Carolina Upstate favored by 11.5 points, and the total set at 146.5.
In terms of player performance, South Carolina Upstate's scoring was bolstered by several key plays in the second half. Karmani Gregory notably contributed with a 13-foot jumper, followed by a series of layups from Jacob Hudson and Ace Talbert. The Spartans maintained their lead throughout the second half, with a highlight being a 2-foot alley-oop dunk from Jafeth Martinez, assisted by Gregory, which brought the score to 71-59.
Gardner-Webb's attempts to close the gap included a late dunk from Jacob Hudson, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. The Runnin' Bulldogs had previously defeated the Spartans in their last meeting on January 24, 2026, with a narrow 67-65 victory, but they were unable to replicate that success this time around.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the performance of both teams suggested that they were fielding their available rosters. The game conditions were standard for a college basketball matchup, with no unusual weather or venue issues reported.
Overall, South Carolina Upstate's victory not only provided them with a much-needed win but also highlighted the challenges facing Gardner-Webb as they continue to seek improvement in their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UPST -11.5 | 146.5 o -105 / u -115 | Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs +625 · South Carolina Upstate Spartans -950 |
Leaders
- PointsKarmani Gregory22South Carolina Upstate Spartans
- AssistsKarmani Gregory5South Carolina Upstate Spartans
- ReboundsBreylin Garcia9South Carolina Upstate Spartans
- PointsJacob Hudson16Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
- AssistsJacob Hogarth5Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
- ReboundsJacob Hogarth8Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
Recent form
South Carolina Upstate Spartans
Last 10: 3-7Streak L171 scored · 77 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L59-71at Radford HighlandersFeb 27
- W76-74vs Presbyterian Blue HoseFeb 21
- L64-68at Winthrop EaglesFeb 19
- L75-82at Longwood LancersFeb 14
- L70-95vs High Point PanthersFeb 13
- W100-94vs Charleston Southern BuccaneersFeb 7
- L67-76at UNC Asheville BulldogsFeb 4
- W65-60vs Longwood LancersJan 30
- L65-67at Gardner-Webb Runnin' BulldogsJan 24
- L69-83vs UNC Asheville BulldogsJan 21
Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
Last 10: 1-9Streak L868 scored · 82.8 allowed per game0-5 away
- L71-77vs UNC Asheville BulldogsFeb 27
- L70-82at Radford HighlandersFeb 20
- L66-75at Charleston Southern BuccaneersFeb 17
- L87-112vs High Point PanthersFeb 14
- L85-103vs Winthrop EaglesFeb 13
- L62-68at Presbyterian Blue HoseFeb 7
- L66-86vs Longwood LancersFeb 5
- L50-69at UNC Asheville BulldogsJan 29
- W67-65vs South Carolina Upstate SpartansJan 24
- L56-91at Longwood LancersJan 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Point | 31-5 | - | 15-1 |
| Winthrop | 23-11 | 2 | 13-3 |
| Radford | 16-16 | 6 | 9-7 |
| Longwood | 16-16 | 7 | 8-8 |
| UNC Asheville | 15-17 | 7 | 8-8 |
| Presbyterian | 15-18 | 8 | 7-9 |
| Charleston Southern | 15-17 | 9 | 6-10 |
| South Carolina Upstate | 13-19 | 10 | 5-11 |
| Gardner-Webb | 4-29 | 14 | 1-15 |
Box score
| Stat | Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs | South Carolina Upstate Spartans |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-60 | 29-63 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 8-23 | 4-20 |
| Three-point % | 35 | 20 |
| Free throws | 3-8 | 9-10 |
| Free throw % | 38 | 90 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 30 |
| Assists | 8 | 16 |
| Steals | 7 | 9 |
| Blocks | 3 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 10 | 15 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 48 |
| Fouls | 11 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 10 | 89 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half24-31Karmani Gregory makes layup (Carmelo Adkins assists)
- 2nd Half24-32Carmelo Adkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half24-33Carmelo Adkins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half24-36Carmelo Adkins makes 25-foot three point jumper (Mason Bendinger assists)
- 2nd Half26-36Jacob Hogarth makes layup
- 2nd Half26-37Carmelo Adkins makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half26-38Carmelo Adkins makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half28-38Jamias Ferere makes layup
- 2nd Half29-38Jamias Ferere makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half29-41Karmani Gregory makes 23-foot three point jumper (Breylin Garcia assists)
- 2nd Half32-41Spence Sims makes 22-foot three point jumper (Jacob Hudson assists)
- 2nd Half32-43Karmani Gregory makes layup
- 2nd Half32-44Karmani Gregory makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half32-47Karmani Gregory makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half34-47NaVuan Peterson makes layup
- 2nd Half37-47Spence Sims makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half37-49Karmani Gregory makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half40-49Jacob Hudson makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half43-49Spence Sims makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jamias Ferere assists)
- 2nd Half45-49Jamias Ferere makes layup (Jacob Hogarth assists)
- 2nd Half45-51Mason Bendinger makes layup
- 2nd Half45-53Mason Bendinger makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half45-55Mason Bendinger makes layup (Karmani Gregory assists)
- 2nd Half47-55DJ Jefferson makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half47-57Karmani Gregory makes layup
- 2nd Half47-58Karmani Gregory makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half49-58Colin Hawkins makes layup (Jacob Hogarth assists)
- 2nd Half49-60Karmani Gregory makes layup
- 2nd Half49-62Carmelo Adkins makes layup (Karmani Gregory assists)
- 2nd Half49-64Mason Bendinger makes 15-foot jumper
- 2nd Half51-64Jacob Hudson makes layup
- 2nd Half53-64Jacob Hudson makes layup
- 2nd Half53-66Karmani Gregory makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half55-66Jacob Hudson makes layup
- 2nd Half57-66Ace Talbert makes layup
- 2nd Half59-66Jamias Ferere makes layup
- 2nd Half59-68Karmani Gregory makes layup
- 2nd Half59-69Mason Bendinger makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-71Jafeth Martinez makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Karmani Gregory assists)
- 2nd Half61-71Jacob Hudson makes 2-foot dunk (Jacob Hogarth assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours South Carolina Upstate Spartans, below favours Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.
Venue
- G.B. Hodge CenterSpartanburg, SC
- OfficialsGarrett Nestor, Nick Agress, Matthew Stewart
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond