Spartanburg, S.C. – The College of Coastal Georgia men's basketball team lost 85-55 on Sunday at USC Upstate as it returned to action for the first time following the Christmas holidays.

The game was the second for the Mariners against an NCAA Division I opponent. Last season in their inaugural campaign as a four-year program, the Mariners played and lost at Savannah State.

Upstate is a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Last year, the Spartans finished second in the conference during the regular season. This year, Upstate, which returns all five starters from a year ago, is off to a 5-7 start and has one more non-league game before beginning conference play. This year, the Spartans have played the likes of Baylor, Kansas State and Santa Clara during the early portion of their schedule.

In Sunday's game, Kentorey Johnson shined for the Mariners as he posted a double-double performance with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Mariners in the loss. P.J. Reason and Dustin Henry also both scored in double figures as Reason hit for 13 points while Henry tossed in 12.

Upstate saw four of its five starters score in doubles with Torrey Craig leading the charge with a game-high 17 points. Ricardo Glenn chipped in 15 points and led the Spartans on the glass with 12 rebounds.

Upstate bolted out to a 52-22 lead before halftime. Both teams scored 33 points in the final 20 minutes.

The Mariners will ring in the New Year on Tuesday with a home game against Edward Waters at 8 p.m. The game follows the 6 p.m. women's game between the two schools.