High Point asserted its dominance over South Carolina Upstate, cruising to an 89-69 win at the Qubein Center. The Panthers' convincing victory was fueled by a stellar performance from Terry Anderson, who notched a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Anderson's impressive outing set the tone for High Point, which never trailed in the second half.
The first half was closely contested, with High Point taking a 35-31 lead into the break. However, the Panthers exploded for 54 points in the second half, shooting efficiently from the field and capitalizing on South Carolina Upstate's turnovers. Rob Martin and Chase Johnston provided significant support for Anderson, scoring 18 and 15 points, respectively. The trio's combined efforts allowed High Point to pull away from the Spartans, who struggled to keep pace with the Panthers' high-powered offense.
Learic Davis was the bright spot for South Carolina Upstate, tallying 17 points and 5 rebounds in a losing effort. Carmelo Adkins and Mason Bendinger also reached double figures, scoring 15 and 11 points, respectively. Despite their best efforts, the Spartans were unable to overcome High Point's balanced attack and stifling defense.
The 20-point margin of victory was a reflection of High Point's superiority, as the Panthers improved to 18-4 on the season. The win was particularly significant, as it came against a non-conference opponent and will be classified as a Quadrant 4 victory for High Point. While it may not be the most impressive win on the Panthers' resume, it is still a valuable addition to their tournament portfolio.
For South Carolina Upstate, the loss drops the Spartans to 9-13 on the season. Although the defeat was expected, it still carries significant weight, as it is considered a Quadrant 2 loss for the Spartans. Learic Davis and his teammates want to bounce back from the setback, but the loss will undoubtedly make their path to the tournament more challenging.
As the season enters its critical stretch, High Point's victory over South Carolina Upstate will be viewed as a routine win, but one that still holds importance in the grand scheme of the Panthers' tournament hopes. With their strong record and impressive net ranking of 80, High Point is well-positioned to make a deep run in the postseason. The Panthers' resume continues to grow, and performances like Terry Anderson's matters in securing a favorable seed in the tournament.