COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Kelah Eldridge hit three 3-pointers to finish with 21 points and seven rebounds, but 21st-ranked University of Pikeville couldn't keep things rolling after halftime in a 71-66 loss at No. 19 Lindsey Wilson on Saturday.

Aundrea Matchen and Prisha Rogers scored in double figures as well with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Matchen also pulled down seven boards, but the Bears (21-7, 7-7 MSC) shot just 37 percent from the field, compared to a 40 percent showing from LWC.

Kayla Styles, playing in just her sixth game for the Blue Raiders after transferring from Western Kentucky, poured in 26 points and Chanel Roberts added 10 points and eight rebounds.

After trailing 35-27 at halftime, Lindsey Wilson (24-5, 10-4 MSC) changed the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Bears 25-8.. The Blue Raiders were still up 67-61 with less than a minute to go, but UPIKE used a 5-1 run, including a three from Devin Conley, to get within two at 68-66.

Teanna Curry went to the free-throw line on LWC's next trip, hitting 1 of 2, which gave UPIKE a chance to tie things up with a three in the final seconds. Conley's attempt missed the mark, and following a put-back attempt, she was called for an offensive foul to seal the win for the Blue Raiders. 

Neither team could buy a basket in the first quarter, finishing the frame tied at 12. But the Bears came out with a fury in the second, starting off with a 9-0 run to lead 21-12.

With UPIKE threatening to blow things open, Lindsey Wilson responded with a 6-0 run of its own, eventually getting within three at 24-21 three minutes before halftime. The Bears didn't fall apart though as they stayed in front the rest of the half, ending with Matchen draining a three at the buzzer to lead by eight at the break.

Up Next

No.5-seed UPIKE will play No. 4-seed Georgetown in the opening round of the Mid-South Conference Championship at 2 p.m. ET on Friday.

-UPIKE-