Midway, KY – UPIKE women's basketball is 2-0 following Monday's contest at Midway, defeating the Eagles by a final score of 87-79. All 166 points were hard-earned in a battle that tested the Bears down the stretch. Rising to the challenge would be an understatement for Morgan Stamper who finished with 33 points and 22 rebounds.

Stamper's impressive showing doubles the sophomore's previous career high of 16-points and her rebound total is the highest single game total among MSC schools since 2015. For the Bears it is the highest total since Natiera Hinton snagged 24 in January of 2009 against Brescia.

Stamper's impact came down the stretch, in the midst of a thrilling fourth quarter. The Bears trailed by two as the clock dwindled to 0:45 left, sparking a tear by Stamper in which she scored five points before the final buzzer.

The game recap could not go without discussing the ever-consistent Mary Englert, who once again tallied a double-digit scoring effort that left her one rebound shy of a double-double. Englert dropped nine shots for 24 points splashing a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line and pulling in nine rebounds.

The first quarter saw the Eagles jump out to a 4-0 lead after a slow two minutes that saw the Bears struggle from inside. Midway stayed ahead until around the 4:30 mark when the Bears would knot things up at 12 all. After a run, the Eagles finished the first quarter ahead 23-20.

Englert and Stamper both offered five points in the second quarter as the Bears fought from behind for the opening five minutes. After gaining some momentum, UPIKE secured up to a four-point lead as the two teams continued to answer.

The third quarter set the stage for what was a thrilling fourth that featured 15 points and seven rebounds from Stamper. After opening the period with a slight lead, the Bears found themselves in a tied ballgame headed into the final 3:40. Every bucket mattered in the final minutes, and it was Englert who coolly drained a pair of free throws to put the Bears ahead 80-77 with 1:12 to go. The final minute of the game is history, written by Morgan Stamper and published by the 2-0 Bears.

Thursday brings a whole new challenge to the floor for the Bears as (3) Campbellsville comes to town for a showdown in Appalachian Wireless Arena. Thursday evenings ball-game is also Community Trust Bank night and fans are encouraged to come join the fun as CTB will be doing drawings and giveaways. Tip-off between the Bears and Tigers is slated for 6PM.