KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- After yesterday's double overtime win, UPIKE just couldn't find enough steam to pull off a third victory in three days and lost to Carroll in the NAIA Quarterfinals on Saturday, 72-56.
Carroll appeared to be the more energized team from the start and it showed after an early 7-0 run gave the Saints a 15-9 lead.
From that point, the Bears were able to hang around with Carroll, constantly hanging three to six points behind. But the Saints closed the half on a 7-0 run to carry a 10-point lead into halftime.
UPIKE was able to find some early success inside, shooting 42.9 percent in the first half, but couldn't find the legs in their long-distance shooting, going just 2-for-9.
Meanwhile Carroll — who came into the contest leading the nation in field goal percentage, 3-point field goalpercentage, and free throw percentage — showed their craft by shooting 52 percent overall and making five threes.
Despite Pikeville's efforts to come back, there was no wind in the sails of the Bears. Carroll shot 54.5 percent in the second half to pull away.
The Bears attempted to scramble and come back late, but nonetheless Saturday marked the end of the UPIKE careerfor Jayvian Delacruz, Jovontae Carleton, and Stanley Perrin.
Delacruz ends his incredible two-year career with 1,121 points, 23rd most in program history. He averaged 19.9points — 13th in the NAIA — and 5.7 rebounds this season, second highest on the team.
Carleton, despite only playing for UPIKE one season, was arguably one of the Bears' most improved players fromthe start of the season to the end. Jovontae was the third leading scorer for the Bears at 11.9 points per game, but was one of the best all-around players to suit up for Pikeville this season, leading the team in steals with 45, and was third on the team with just over two assists per game.
Perrin, while seeing less time on the floor than his two other senior teammates, never played with less than 100 percent intensity. The Brooklyn native averaged 5.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season, but his presence was most felt on the defensive end, where he often stood against stronger or taller players without fear.
UPIKE finishes the season at 25-9, the seventh consecutive season with 25 or more wins. This season also marked the Bears' fourth-ever trip to the NAIA quarterfinals.
UP NEXT
While the Bears season is over as a team, it will not be the last time a Bear will hit the floor as Delacruz will participate in the NAIA All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Municipal Auditorium.
-UPIKE-
