Rio Grande, OH – UPIKE traveled north for Thursday nights showdown with Rio Grande that resulted in a tough 74-59 loss. The Red Storm avenged their early season loss to the Bears and split the season series thanks to a solid defensive showing.
The Bears drop to 3-4 on the season following the loss. Rio Grande moves to 5-4 with the win.
The Bears shot under their season average from the floor managing 41% on 22-53 attempts. Rio Grande locked down on the perimeter and limited the Bears to just one three pointer in 14 attempts. UPIKE struggled to capitalize at the free throw line, going 14-21 for 66 percent while the Red Storm made seven of eight.
A trio of Bears managed double-figures including dynamic guard Taevon Horton who dropped 13 points on 45% shooting from the floor. Horton also pulled in six rebounds and added an assist. Jordan Perry went for 12 points and added six rebounds while Jamir Simpson notched 11 points and seven boards.
UPIKE opened the game with a solid start over five minutes, going up 8-7 with Jacob Brown and Christian Sweazie getting in on the early scoring effort. Rio Grande took the 10-8 lead on a trey with 16:00 to spark an 8-0 run. After connecting on four deep balls and aided by the struggling Bears offense, the Red Storm had a solid 30-19 lead with 5:31 left until halftime. UPIKE closed out the first half with four free throws but trailed Rio 37-24 headed into the locker room.
The Bears stayed on pace with the Red Storm in the opening 10 minutes of the second half and the defensive effort for both teams was relentless. Perry and Horton led the charge as UPIKE clawed at the lead, combining for 10 points in the opening half of the period and at the 11:19 mark Perry drained a jumper that brought the Bears within single digits. After the under-12 minute media timeout, both teams struggled to find the net, missing on seven consecutive possessions between them. Darius Love inched Compton's squad closer with a second chance shot before Horton nabbed a quick steal and drew a foul to get to the free throw line. Horton drained both attempts as the Bears were within five trailing 56-51 headed into the final nine minutes.
Jacob Brown made good on a free throw with 8:27 to go to bring UPIKE within four but the momentum began to shift back into Rio's favor when they answered with a three on the following possession. From 5:06 to 2:42, a scoring drought held the game at a stalemate with Rio's defense limiting the Bear's ability to get a good look. With 1:34 to play Horton kept the energy, trying to will on UPIKE's comeback with a tough and-one. The Red Storm had extended their lead out of reach though, burying a chance for a comeback as they went on to secure the 74-59 victory.
UPIKE men's basketball will break for the holidays before returning to action with a road matchup against Thomas More on Thursday, December 31st at 4PM.
