Columbia, KY – UPIKE men's basketball bounced back in a big way Thursday night against Lindsey Wilson, burying the Blue Raiders 72-58 on the road. The win comes as a much-needed boost for the Bears as they approach the midway point in the conference schedule.

UPIKE outscored Lindsey Wilson 43-32 in the first half, establishing the Bears' momentum in a contest they would finish off with a 54% clip from the field. The Bears outrebounded the Blue Raiders 39-27 and dished out 14 assists to Lindsey Wilson's three. The win improves the Bears to 6-7 on the season, 4-6 in MSC action.

Darius Love lit-up the statsheet in Columbia, firing for 21 points on 7-11 and wrangling 13 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. The junior recorded career-highs in points, rebounds, shots made, and minutes played in the breakout performance. Love scored 13 of his points in the second half, going a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line. Sharpshooter-turned-workhorse Korbin Spencer got his piece, dropping 17 points adding four rebounds and a pair of assists. Malcolm Green was problem for the Blue Raider defense, distributing 9 assists – more than doubling his previous season high.

It was Korbin Spencer in the driver's seat in the early going for UPIKE as the Bears carved out 16-10 lead in the first eight minutes. Green followed Spencers second trey with a two off a Lindsey Wilson turnover as the Bears took a 10-point lead headed into the last 10 minutes of the half. A 5-0 run from the Blue Raiders made things more interesting with under eight minutes to go, and it was Spencer who again answered with a key bucket to maintain the three possession UPIKE lead.

Christian Sweazie pulled up from behind the arc to put himself in the scoring column with 7:14 to go in the half, followed by free throws from Spencer and a second chance bucket from Love which put the Bears ahead 30-23. The final five minutes looked good for Tigh Compton's squad as UPIKE grew their lead thanks in part to good defensive pressure causing turnovers from Lindsey, which the Bears turned into fastbreak buckets. Love splashed a pair of free throws to cap off the half as UPIKE headed into the locker room ahead 43-32.

Spencer returned in the second half at about the 15 minute mark with a silky pull-up jumper as the Bears led 48-34. The Bears' stayed on the attack, growing their lead with every productive possession behind Love who erupted for a highlight second half scoring 11 of his 19 points. Kenyon Stone got involved as well as Jamir Simpson as the Bears carried a steady hand on both ends of the floor. The Bears held their largest lead with under eight minutes remaining in the contest, blazing ahead with an 18-point, 62-42 lead.

Love and company continued to eat away at the Blue Raider defense as UPIKE coasted along in the final 10 minutes of the contest. UPIKE held out to win, bouncing back from back-to-back losses at home with a 14-point win over Lindsey Wilson.

The Bears will return to the hardwood on Monday, January 18^th as they set off for Marietta, GA to take on Life University. Tip-off between the Bears and Running Eagles is slated for 8PM at the Eagle's Nest.