STATESBORO, Ga.- Savannah State dropped a 3-0 decision to USC Upstate in the GATA Challenge, hosted by Georgia Southern.

The Spartans posted wins of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-18.

In the first set, SSU trailed 19-9 but cut their deficit to 22-16 after a score by Jeilyn Brown. Upstate held Savannah State to one point the rest of the way to get the win.

The Lady Tigers (1-9) trailed 5-1 in the second set before rallying to tie the score at 7-7. Upstate went ahead 11-10 and increased their lead to 20-12 before SSU closed their gap to five on two occasions at 20-15 and 22-17.

The game was knotted at 7-7 in the third set before the Spartans went ahead 15-12. They increased their advantage to 20-13 and led by as many as 23-18 down the stretch.

Leiri Melendez had 11 digs for SSU. Ashley Jordan had 12 assists while Salma Gonzalez had 10. Gonzalez contributed eight kills, eight digs and three aces while Jordan had six kills.

USC Upstate (2-9) was led by Lily Dempsey (13 kills), Madison Haake (28 assists) and Payton Duncan (15 digs).