PIKEVILLE, Ky. – UPIKE came into Thursday's matchup against No. 7 Shawnee State the most rested it has been in weeks and the fresh legs showed as Pikeville took control in the second half to upset the Bears, 67-62.

The win is UPIKE's first over a top-10 opponent since February of 2015 when UPIKE defeated then No. 3 Campbellsville.

Pikeville outscored Shawnee State 48-35 in the second half to erase the eight-point halftime deficit.

With UPIKE down four entering the fourth quarter, the Bears turned to two of their guards in AJ Reed and Kayla Mullins who scored 21 of UPIKE's 29 points in the quarter. Reed scored all 11 of her points and Mullins scored all 10 of her points in the final quarter.

Shawnee actually built its lead up to eight points with eight minutes to go in the game, but UPIKE went on a quick 9-0 run to get its first lead of the game.

The reinvigorated Bears leaned on their defense to spark its comeback, which included four turnovers in that run alone. Overall, UPIKE forced 19 turnovers on the night and a +8 differential on points off turnovers.

Brianna Burbridge was one of many players to guide Pikeville through the early going, picking up her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Once UPIKE got its first lead, it traded hands multiple times until Reed and Mullins took over, scoring 10 of Pikeville's last 12 points.

Shawnee State caught a glimmer of home in the final seconds when Brandie Snow hit a fading 3-pointer to cut the lead to three, but Mullins hit a pair of free throws on the corresponding possession to squash that last hope.

UP NEXT

UPIKE now gets a full extra week of rest before traveling to Williamsburg to take on Cumberlands (Ky.) on Jan. 23. Tip-off for that contest is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

-UPIKE-