MONTGOMERY, W. Va. -- Shakinah Gibson poured in a team-high 20 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead the University of Pikeville women's basketball team to a 91-85 season-opening win at West Virginia Tech on Thursday at the Baisi Athletic Center.
Gibson led a group of four Bears in double figures as Kelah Eldridge chipped in with 19 points, Khalilah Quigley scored 17 and Kandice Porter added 10. Gibson was playing her first game for UPIKE, while another newcomer, freshman Jamie Castle, matched Gibson for the team lead in rebounds with six.
UPIKE blistered the nets, shooting 58.6 percent from the field, as both teams had little trouble lighting up the scoreboard. West Virginia Tech led 50-48 at halftime, but shot just 40 percent from the field in the second half and hit just five of its 22 3-point attempts.
The Golden Bears did lead the game in rebounds 44-38, but it wasn't enough of an advantage to change the outcome as UPIKE was simply too good shooting the ball. The Bears hit half of their 12 threes and made 21 free throws, compared to just a 12-of-22 showing from the stripe for Tech.
Two UPIKE players with a solid debut were Castle who finished with six points, six boards, seven assists, four steals and a block and Dee Foster who shot 3-for-3 from the field, 1-for-1 from behind the arc and hit both of her free-throw attempts while also pulling down four rebounds.
Pikeville is back in action at Noon ET on Sunday against Midway at UPIKE Gym.
