COLUMBIA, Ky. -- K.K. Simmons and Christian Leach poured in 18 points each to help seventh-ranked University of Pikeville hold off Lindsey Wilson for an 83-78 win on Saturday.
Macari Brooks and Trey Rakes also scored in double figures with 15 and 11 points, respectively, as UPIKE (25-4, 12-4 MSC) shot 61 percent from the field and outrebounded the Blue Raiders 31-19.
Led by 20 points from Bryan Wallace and Dmitry Utolin chipping in with 18, Lindsey Wilson shot 54 percent, including a 10-of-23 showing from behind the arc.
It was tight throughout the first 10 minutes with Lindsey Wilson (16-13, 6-10 MSC) holding just a one-point lead at 17-16 midway through the first half. But an 11-1 Blue Raider run followed, putting them up 28-17 with six minutes left before halftime.
LWC added a 10-2 run a few minutes later, allowing it to take a 12-point lead into the break after leading by as many as 15 points at 41-26 after a jumper from Sutton.
While the shooting was good throughout the game, UPIKE had a nearly unheard of showing in the second half, hitting at 76.5 percent from the field on its way to outscoring Lindsey Wilson 51-34.
The Bears were still down by 10 with 13 minutes to play, but a 15-3 run completed their comeback as Tyrone Sherman swiped a steal and made a layup to give the Bears back the lead at 58-56 with 8:46 to play.
It was UPIKE's first lead since being up 10-9 after a Brooks three at the 13-minute mark of the first half.
Things tightened up again from there as it was a mainly a free-throw shooting contest down the stretch.
Trailing 78-77 with 57 seconds to play, Trey Rakes stepped up to the free-throw line to nail a pair and the Bears never trailed again. LWC followed with a turnover and charging call on its next two possessions, allowing two more free throws from Christian Leach to make it a three-point game.
Looking to head down the court in search of a tying basket, Lindsey Wilson once again turned the ball over, this time in the backcourt, to essentially give UPIKE the win after two made freebies by Simmons.
Up Next
No.2-seed UPIKE will play No. 7-seed Lindsey Wilson in the opening round of the Mid-South Conference Championship at 2 p.m. ET on Friday.
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