Preview: Struggling Spartans Face Surging Lancers in Big South Clash FARMVILLE, Va. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in conference momentum will be on display Friday afternoon when the Longwood Lancers host the South Carolina Upstate Spartans in a Big South women’s basketball matchup. The Lancers (13-6 overall) enter the contest looking to rebound from a 78-63 road loss at Radford on Wednesday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Prior to that, Longwood’s offense was prolific, averaging 86 points during that win streak, including a 100-point performance against Winthrop on Jan. 14. Longwood will rely on Jesstynie Scott, who scored 12 points in the loss to Radford and has provided consistent scoring off the bench. The Lancers’ depth and high-powered attack will test a Spartan defense that has allowed an average of 62.5 points in conference play. South Carolina Upstate (6-14) arrives mired in a slump, having lost six of its last seven games. The Spartans are coming off a heartbreaking 57-56 defeat at UNC Asheville on Wednesday, a game in which they held a second-half lead. Finding a way to close out tight games remains a critical hurdle. The Spartans’ offense runs through guard Cassie Gallagher, who has been a bright spot during the difficult stretch. She is averaging 17.7 points per game over her last six contests, including a 24-point effort in a win over Presbyterian and a 20-point performance in the narrow loss to Asheville. Containing Gallagher will be a primary focus for the Longwood defense. Historically, the home team has held the advantage in this series. The Lancers’ balanced scoring and superior record position them as the favorite, but the Spartans have shown they can compete, with four of their last five losses coming by single digits. Friday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. EST at Joan Perry Brock Center. Longwood hits the road next to face Gardner-Webb on Jan. 28, while South Carolina Upstate hosts Radford on the same date.