Box Score

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – Things are getting interesting for the University of Pikeville women's basketball team's postseason chances after a close 81-78 loss at Rio Grande (Ohio) on Saturday at Newt Oliver Arena.

With the loss the Bears drop to 12-16 overall and 6-10 in Mid-South Conference play. Only the top eight teams advance to the MSC Tournament and the Bears are currently tied for seventh place. Next weekend's slate of games will play out all the scenarios with UPIKE getting its final two at home against Campbellsville (Ky.) and St. Catharine (Ky.).

At Rio Grande it was UPIKE that looked good early, taking a seven-point lead in the first seven minutes before going into halftime tied 39-39.

In the second half, the RedStorm never led by more than six points, reaching that margin with five minutes left, but limited UPIKE to just 35 percent shooting to hold onto the win. The RedStorm needed a bad shooting performance to be able to win as they were outrebounded 55-39, including a 28-12 Bear advantage on the offensive glass.

It was a sloppy game on both ends with UPIKE leading in turnovers 25-19, but it did help itself stay close by shooting 40 percent (8-of-20) from behind the arc. Once UPIKE got down in the game's final stages it was hard to come back as Rio Grande sent back a whopping 14 blocked shots and swiped 16 steals.

Callisha Johnson led the Bears with 19 points, but failed to grab a rebound, while Khalilah Quigley joined her in double figures with 18 points and 10 boards, while also dishing out four assists and blocking two shots.

Five RedStorm players scored in double digits, led by Sarah Bonar with 21 and Brianna Thomas adding 20. Harley Adler was a game changer down low, blocking 11 shots to go along with 11 points and eight rebounds. The NAIA record is 16 blocks in a game.

Next up for UPIKE is a matchup with Campbellsville at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday at the East Ky. Expo Center.