PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Christian Leach had the best offensive performance by a University of Pikeville men's basketball player this season with a career-high 30 points to lead the top-ranked Bears to a 102-97 come-from-behind win over Life (Ga.) on Thursday night in the East Ky. Expo Center.

For the second time this season, UPIKE (19-2, 6-2 MSC) had to overcome a 15-point first-half deficit against the Running Eagles (11-6, 4-4 MSC). Life shot out to the big lead behind 56.1 percent shooting from the field, including making 8 of 12 3-pointers.

Then things started to fall apart in the second half. Life's shooting percentage dropped to 40 percent while missing all six of its 3-point attempts. Led by Leach's memorable performance, the Bears took advantage, shooting over 50 percent in the half and making 24 of 28 free throws.

Leach, who also had eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, played a big role from the stripe, going a perfect 8 for 8. The Running Eagles were good as well, making 19 of 22 freebies, but the second-half shooting woes told the story of how UPIKE turned things around.

For nearly 30 minutes, it looked like UPIKE was on its way to back-to-back home losses for the first time since Nov. 19-21, 2011. After a pair of Justin Perry free throws, the Running Eagles led by 14 points seven minutes into the second half.

Four minutes later, with 9:02 to play, Life's lead was still in double digits at 83-73, not too far from the 13-point halftime deficit. It just seemed like the Bears wouldn't be able to get over the hump. But then Leach happened.

The senior made two straight buckets in the paint to get within six, then minutes later made a perfect dish to Colt Chapman to make it an 87-83 Life lead. With three minutes left the Leach show continued when he picked off a pass and ushered it ahead to K.K. Simmons for an and-one bucket that tied things up at 90.

Simmons converted on the free throw to take a one-point lead, UPIKE's first since it was 22-21 early in the first half.

UPIKE never trailed again as Leach made sure of it with a rebound and coast-to-coast layup, followed immediately by Simmons getting a steal and layup in the backcourt. While Life still showed…life, Trey Rakes and Leach made four straight free throws in the final 15 seconds to keep the Bears in front.

Simmons finished with 29 points, including hitting five threes for the fifth time this season. The senior also became the 27th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. Chapman joined him in double figures with 12 points and Macari Brooks tallied nine points and 10 rebounds.

Chris Rhoney and Allen Dantzler paced life with 27 and 25 points, respectively. Dantler also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, although the Bears won the battle of the boards 40-35 overall.

Up Next

No. 1 UPIKE hosts Shawnee State (Ohio) at 8 p.m. ET on Monday in the East Ky. Expo Center.

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