PULASKI, Tenn. – UPIKE women's basketball came out on the bad end of a back-and-forth contest as Bethel defeated the Bears 58-53 to close out the Mid-South/Southern States Challenge.

There were five lead changes in the game, although UPIKE held the lead through the first quarter. Pikeville held Bethel to 28.5 percent shooting in the first quarter to build that lead.

Kayla Mullins had six of her team-high 12 points in the first quarter with a pair of 3-pointers. Mullins had four of the team's seven 3-pointers in the game.

Both teams shot better in the second quarter, but the Bears shot better and added to its lead to 27-25 at halftime. The second quarter started as the Mary Englert show as she scored six of  UPIKE's first eight points in the period.

Bethel came out of halftime with its best offensive quarter of the game, especially in the factor that would eventually doom the Bears.

The Wildcats shot 46.1 percent in the third, but also hit all seven of its foul shots. Bethel started the quarter on a 6-0 run and eventually built a six-point lead, its biggest of the game at the time.

UPIKE was able to trim the lead down to one at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and three within the final minute, but Bethel hit 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

UP NEXT

UPIKE will have five days off before taking part in the Walters Auto Classic. The Bears will face Marian (Ind). and Simmons College of Kentucky on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

-UPIKE-