Columbia, KY – UPIKE women's basketball fell short in Thursday nights MSC matchup with 17^th-ranked Lindsey Wilson, dropping game one of the series by a final score of 63-54. The loss drops the Bears to 9-5 overall and 5-5 in conference play.

Alexis Reed and Brianna Burbridge were the primary producers for the Bears on Thursday as Reed dropped 16 points while Burbridge recorded yet another double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Morgan Stamper had a breakout game, scoring 13 tough points on 5-7 shooting and adding six rebounds. Mary Englert scored double digits for the fourth straight game and finished with 11.

Neither team shot exceptionally well, a testament to the defensive nature of the game with UPIKE going 24-73 and Lindsey Wilson shooting 23-58 from the floor. The scoring was sparse from deep as the teams combined for just five three-pointers in the contest.

After striking first, UPIKE strung together a solid first half effort building a lead to the tune of 14-9 with just under three minutes to go. The Bears distributed the scoring nicely throughout the first 10 minutes and after a 9-4 Lindsey Wilson run late in the quarter, UPIKE held a 18-15 lead headed into the second.

The Blue Raiders heated up early in the second half, completing a 9-0 run over the course of four minutes before Brianna Burbridge converted on a layup to end the Bears' scoring draught. The Blue Raiders grew their lead to as much as five but the damage was limited by the trio of Reed, Burbridge and Englert who kept UPIKE alive with a handful of key baskets. The Bears closed the half with a pair of good looks from beyond the arc but couldn't hit and trailed 31-27 at the break.

Sierra Feltner struck first coming out of the break, battling in the paint for a two that made it a one possession ballgame. The Bears remained persistent, fighting a solid defensive effort from the Blue Raiders that seemed to focus on forcing turnovers. Burbridge found net on a shot at the 6:25 mark that once again made it a one possession game as the Bears were knocking on door of Lindsey Wilson's slight 31-29 lead. Reed came through in a big way with under five minutes to play, splashing a three to give the
Bears their first lead of the period. Reed remained locked in during the following minutes, answering on a pair of Lindsey possessions before drilling another trey to reclaim the lead for UPIKE at the 1:22 mark to make it 41-40. Headed into the fourth the Bears held a 43-42 lead.

UPIKE started the fourth strong, going back and forth with the Blue Raiders while maintaining a lead for the first three minutes thanks to buckets from Reed and Stamper. Lindsey tied the game at 50 all with 7:06 to go and put their foot on the gas mounting an 8-0 run lasting down to the final 1:30 of the game. UPIKE converted on a second chance bucket and a pair of free throws before the buzzer but ultimately fell 63-54.

UPIKE women's basketball gears up for their next matchup with Cumberland (Tenn.) on Saturday, January 14^th. The Bears hit the road to tip-off with the Phoenix in Lebanon at 2PM.