Pikeville, KY – Women's basketball found themselves locked in a thriller yet again, battling with (3) Thomas More in a game that came down to the final moments of overtime. The Bears pieced together an impressive effort, challenging the Saints every step of the game but it was Thomas More who took the overtime win by a final score of 76-72.

Offensively it was Mary Englert who paced the Bears with 17 points, joining teammates Morgan Stamper, Bailey Frazier, and Hailey Free with double-digit scoring efforts. After fighting through frequent double teams and tough interior defense in the first half, Stamper recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Bailey Frazier came two short of her season-high with 12 points, offering 29 tough minutes and grabbing eight rebounds. Hailey Free dropped a season-high 10 points on 4-7 from the field, going a perfect 2-2 from the charity stripe.

The Bears were held to 35.9% from the floor and 21% from three but won the turnover battle, forcing 12 turnovers from the Saints. UPIKE also claimed the rebounding battle by a 37-30 count, led by Stamper's 11.

The first quarter set the tone for the entire game, pitting the teams in a back and forth that saw the Saints go up by as much as eight after five minutes played before the Bears fired back with a 6-3 run. Alexis Reed hit back to back shots in the final minute of the first to make it a one point ballgame with the score at 18-17 advantage Thomas More after 10 minutes.

The Saints took off to a nine point lead early in the second, stifling the Bears offense for the better part of the period. Despite a seven point quarter by Reed, the Saints held a 37-30 lead headed into locker room.
Led by Stamper and Englert, UPIKE opened the third with an 8-2 run to make it a one possession ballgame with 6:11 to go in the period. At the 5:18 mark, Englert connected on a layup which gave the Bears their first lead since 2-0. The teams traded blows in a two minute stretch that saw three lead changes including a huge three from Frazier. After four free throws from Frazier and Free, the Bears led 51-47 headed into the fourth.

The Bears extended their lead to as much as six in the fourth but at the 3:56 mark Thomas More made things interesting with a three that tied the game at 59. After reclaiming the lead twice in the last two minutes, a late jumper sent the game into overtime at 64 all.

Thomas More had more gas in the tank for OT, showcased by a 8-2 run to open the period. A LeeAnna McNulty layup made it a one possession game with 1:32 to play but in the end the Saints capitalized from the free throw line to seal the victory.

The Bears get back to work on Thursday, December 16^th as they travel to Portsmouth, OH for a 6 PM tip-off against the Bears of Shawnee State.