PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- It wasn't easy but UPIKE women's basketball came alive in the fourth quarter to erase an earlier 12-point deficit to defeat Cumberland (Tenn.) on Thursday, 71-67.
UPIKE outscored the Phoenix 30-20 in the fourth quarter, scoring more than it had in the two previous quarters combined. Not much had gone right offensively for the Bears all night up until that point, who shot just 31 percent in the first 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, Cumberland was shooting lights out during that time, making 20 of its 39 shots in quarters one through three. Pikeville was able to keep pace with its opponent with its free throw shooting, though. UPIKE got to the line in volume, especially in the first quarter when the Bears seemingly couldn't buy a bucket. The Bears made 27 of its 32 free throws overall, compared to the Phoenix's nine free throws attempted.
That corresponding foul trouble ended up being Cumberland's Achilles heel as all three of its post players got into early foul trouble. Two of the three entered the fourth quarter with three fouls already and the last of the three picked up third in the opening seconds of the fourth. Because of their attempts to avoid gathering further fouls, UPIKE's post players got to work, which sparked the comeback.
Brianna Burbridge, Emily Baker, and Elisabeth Latham all scored in double figures and combined for 16 of UPIKE's 30 points in the fourth quarter. Baker secured her third straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Burbridge led the team in scoring for the fourth straight game with 16 points.
Mary Englert was also able to snap her scoring slump in UPIKE's comeback run, scoring 12 of her 14 points in the final period. On the other sideline, Carli Codner-Pinto was unbelievable for Cumberland, scoring a game-high 27 points, 17 of which came in the first half.
With the win UPIKE moves to 14-6, and 3-1 in conference play. The Bears will face a stiff test on Saturday when they will travel to Columbia to face No. 21 Lindsey Wilson. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
-UPIKE-
