Box Score

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Callisha Johnson poured in 19 points, hitting 12-of-16 shots from the free-throw line, to help the University of Pikeville hold off Virginia Intermont 72-68 on Monday night at UPIKE Gym.

The Bears (6-7) led by 12 with four minutes to play, but Jordan Ray knocked down a pair of threes and Jordan Bacon added another to get the Cobras within two at 70-68 with 18 seconds on the clock.

Johnson made it a two-possession game with a pair of free throws to put UPIKE up 72-68 and secure the win as Ray's three at the buzzer hit off the rim.

Kelah Eldridge added 13 points and five assists, Brogan Conley had a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards and Cheyenne Madden tallied 11 points and seven rebounds for the Bears.

Rebounding was critical to the win with the Bears posting a 47-34 advantage, including 19-9 on the offensive glass. Free throws also proved the difference as UPIKE hit 17-of-25 shots compared to just 8-of-12 by the Cobras.

UPIKE jumped out in front fast with a 9-2 run led by a three from Johnson and two straight baskets by Brittany Swindall who was limited to just over seven minutes of action after receiving a deep cut.

The big lead didn't last as Virginia Intermont responded with a 10-2 burst to take its first lead at 12-11 with 12:30 left in the half. Courtney McKenzie gave the Cobras (5-8) their largest lead of the game with two straight buckets to make it 18-14.

Playing about as even as possible in the first 20 minutes, the game went on to be tied five times before the break. Tied 31-31 with five minutes to go, UPIKE allowed just two more points to build a four-point lead at halftime on a three from Eldridge.

Virginia Intermont led just once in the second half at 48-47 with 11:06 left on Kiara Cruse's basket in the paint off a Bear turnover. UPIKE took control for good with a 9-0 run that lasted nearly four minutes. A 54-53 lead turned into a 10-point, 63-53 advantage with 4:56 to play.

Once Madden made it a 12-point lead with her put back in the paint, the Cobras started their late push to outscore UPIKE 13-3 over the final four minutes. Johnson made 5-of-8 free throws in the final minute to secure the win for the Bears.

McKenzie had 18 points for Virginia Intermont in the first half, but was limited to just five in the second half to finish with a game-high 23. Cruse added 14 points and Radvile Autukaite and Bacon chipped in with 10 each.

The Cobras outshot UPIKE from the field 44.4 to 39.1 percent, while the Bears hit one more three with five for the game.

UPIKE returns to action at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday at Bluefield (Va.) in the return to Mid-South Conference play.