Box Score

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – What looked like a defensive struggle at first turned into an offensive explosion as the University of Pikeville women's basketball team held on for a 100-97 victory over Rio Grande (Ohio) Thursday night at the East Ky. Expo Center.

Khalilah Quigley led the Bears in a breakout performance with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Cheyenne Madden turned in 21 points along with 11 rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end. Kelah Eldridge (18 points) and Brogan Conley (12 points) were the only other Bears in double figures.

The Red Storm offense ran through Brianna Thomas, who poured in a game-high 24 points while contributing four assists and six rebounds. Sarah Bonar added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Brooke Marcum and Alexis Payne had 15 and 14 points, respectively.

The Red Storm gave the Bears all they could handle, especially at the free throw line, where they went a combined 22-for-23 (96%). Ultimately the Bears' bench was decisive, outscoring Rio Grande's bench 33-12.

Despite leading by as many as 13 points, the Bears found themselves trailing early in the second half.

What followed was a barrage of baskets which saw 10 second-half lead changes. With 3:30 to play and UPIKE trailing, Eldridge scored eight points in three possessions, including two 3-pointers) to flip a three-point deficit into a three-point lead that the Bears wouldn't surrender.

Calisha Johnson's clutch free throws with 12 seconds remaining gave the Bears 100 points, the most scored this season, and closed out the scoring for both teams.

UPIKE (8-11, 3-5 MSC) looks for its second straight win on Saturday afternoon, when it welcomes Shawnee State (Ohio) for a 2 p.m. ET tipoff at the East Ky. Expo Center.