PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Milligan grabbed a rebound down one with 20 seconds to play off a missed free throw, but immediately turned the ball over, allowing the University of Pikeville women's basketball team to preserve a 64-61 win on Saturday afternoon in the Appalachian Wireless Classic.
Jamie Castle was sent to the stripe with six seconds left where she made both to make it a 3-point game and Milligan's last second heave to tie the game fell short to give the Bears (1-2) their first win of the season.
Milligan breaks even at 1-1 after beating Cumberlands and losing to UPIKE in the classic.
The shooting percentages weren't pretty with the Bears doing slightly better at 36 to 32 percent, but UPIKE did hit five more free throws and had nine less turnovers to make the difference. Rachel Lee scored 17 points to lead UPIKE and Elisabeth Latham joined her in double figures with 14 points and six rebounds.
Milligan got 14 points from Kaely Gose and Emily Kiser and Cassidy Anderson added 11 points each.
The Bears trailed by 10 at halftime, which was extended to 11 at 35-24 after a free throw by Milligan's Mackenzie Raizor 10 seconds into the second half.
It took the Bears outscoring the Buffaloes 20-7 over the next eight minutes to gain their first lead since the 8:06 mark of the first quarter at 44-42.
Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Milligan was back on top, taking a 3-point lead at 54-51 on a jumper by Sarah Robinson. After that, a quick 5-0 run by UPIKE changed its fate. It started with a layup by Latham, followed by a single free throw from her a minute later.
Lee finished off the run with a pair of free throws to give the Bears a two-point lead with 4:19 left. One tie the rest of the way was the best Milligan could do as the Bears went on to lead by as many as five points at the 1:29 mark.
A 3 and long jumper by Morgan Gose gave the Buffaloes a chance down one with 10 seconds to play, but the timely turnover under the Bear's basket and freebies from Castle allowed them to hold on for the win.
UP NEXT
UPIKE heads south for the MSC/SSAC Challenge in McKenzie, Tenn., where it opens with host Bethel at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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