PIKEVILLE, Ky. – UPIKE women's basketball may have gotten the spark it needed to get back on track with a 91-78 win on Thursday night against Life in the opener of the Mid-South Conference season.

The Bears outscored the Running Eagles 29-16 in the fourth quarter to finally break open a game that had gone back and forth all night. There were a total of 14 lead changes in the game, most of which were in the second half.

UPIKE was able to pull away thanks to its strong shooting from long distance in the fourth quarter. A 3-pointer from Bailey Frazier sparked a 15-2 run that turned a tie game into a double-digit lead, the largest by either team at the time.

Kayla Mullins hit two 3-pointers on the run and continued her sharp shooting thus far this season by shooting 75 percent (6-8) for 16 points.

Brianna Burbridge provided another huge spark off the bench with 18 points and 10 rebounds, both game-highs, for her second double-double of the season.

The Bears also could point their success toward its frequent successful trips to the free-throw line. UPIKE made 15 of its 20 attempts in the game compared to Life's 14 attempts and eight makes.

Pikeville proved their resilience early by shaking off a tough first quarter. Life shot 41 percent in the first quarter, while they held Pikeville to 27 percent.

Even though the offense didn't get much better in the second, UPIKE still cut into the lead with 11 offensive rebounds. UPIKE outscored 57-22 in bench points.

UP NEXT

UPIKE will finish its early week of Mid-South Conference play on Saturday when the Bears host Cumberland (Tenn.) at 2 p.m. at Appalachian Wireless Arena.

-UPIKE-