Pikeville, KY – It was apparent from tip-off that Tigh Compton's squad came to play on Thursday, facing off with a Life University team that handed them a tough loss earlier in the week. UPIKE played solid basketball for 40 minutes, keeping steady pressure on the Running Eagles, securing the 91-74 win after a physical battle at Appalachian Wireless Arena.

Looking at the cumulative stats tell the story for a UPIKE team that shot a clean 62.7% clip from the field. In the second half, the Bears played their most controlled and calculated basketball of the season as they preserved through a paced and aggressive defensive pressure. UPIKE hit 75% of their shots from the field in the second half, outscoring Life by 14 in those 20 minutes alone.

Malcolm Green pushed the Bears' offense onward in the second half, showcasing his unique and uncanny ability to read a driving lane to the hoop. Green easily surpassed his season-high, scoring 26 points on 66% shooting from the field and an impressive 8-9 from the free throw line. Jacob Brown also drained eight of 12 from the field, splashing a pair of threes as well on his way to an 18 point performance. Darius Love continued to be a factor, going 7-8 from the floor and finishing with 14.

Life held a slight advantage early on in the first half, leading by as much as six after hitting threes on back-to-back possessions. With just under 13 minutes to go in the half, Love and Brown teamed up to lead the Bears on a 7-0 stretch followed by a bucket from Kenyon Stone as UPIKE quickly secured a 15-12 lead. Green nailed a three under the 10 minute mark before Life made a surge to tie the game at 22 heading into the last seven minutes of the half.

Christian Sweazie connected on a trey with 6:14 remaining that sparked a 9-3 run that put the Bears up 33-27. Green closed the half with a pair of free throws before Life hit a long three with one second left as UPIKE headed into the break ahead 35-32.

Green didn't cool off and kicked-off the second half with a step-back three, setting the tone for a half that undoubtedly belonged to the Bears. Over the first five minutes of the final period the Bears had built a 13-point lead and were holding strong against an increasingly aggressive Life squad. A two from Brown at 7:25 gave UPIKE a staggering 21 point lead, and the remainder of the contest was much of the same with the Bears remaining in control. UPIKE avenged Monday's loss in the end with a 91-74 win.

UPIKE will return to Appalachian Wireless Arena for a matchup with Martin Methodist on Saturday, January 23^rd. Tip-off is set for 4PM.