Pikeville, KY – UPIKE men's basketball came into Monday's contest with (RV) Cumberlands itching to maintain momentum after an impressive win over (20) Thomas More over the weekend. The Bears played solid on all fronts but were outgunned in the waning minutes of the fourth, allowing UC to take the hard-fought 78-70 victory.

After the loss, UPIKE moves to 10-11 on the season with a conference mark of 8-10.

As a team the Bears hit a solid 47% from the field featuring a second half effort in which they hit 15-30 for 50%. UPIKE left some points at the free throw line that contributed to the loss, going 14-22 from the charity stripe.

A trio stood atop the box score after Monday's bout including Malcolm Green and Jamir Simpson who dropped 17 points and Korbin Spencer who notched 15. Green filled out the stat sheet going 4-7 from the field, 1-1 from three, and 8-10 from the free throw line while adding five rebounds and two steals. Simpson was a force in the paint for UPIKE, the brute hit 8-12 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds as well.

The first half would start as expected as the teams jockeyed for position and any amount momentum. Further into the half though, the physicality started to shine through and set the stage for what would be an intense second half battle.

Over the first eight minutes or so, the two teams went back and forth and UC had gained a slight four-point advantage by the 13:00 mark. UPIKE got a much-needed spark with 8:49 to go via a three pointer from Christian Sweazie followed by a layup from Carl Campbell which claimed a one point lead for the Bears. The game tied up three more times before hitting four minutes left in the half and a turnover followed by a pair of shots from the Patriots gave them a 28-24 lead with 3:00 to go.

Shots from Taevon Horton and Green would push the Bears ahead by one with under two minutes in the period, answered by a three from UC on the next possession. Cumberlands would capitalize on a trip to the free throw line to close the half, taking a 32-29 lead into the break.

In the first 2:30 of the second, the Patriots would go on a 9-4 run to seize control of the pace behind superstar point guard Tevin Olison. The Bears battled back on the heels of Simpson and Green, coming within one point with 13:36 to go. UPIKE exploded for two minutes from 12:00 to 10:00, leading a 9-2 run which was capped off by a contested three from Green as the Bears held a 54-50 lead.

Korbin pushed the Bears further ahead at the 9:25 mark and UPIKE's lead held until the Patriots tied the game again with under six minutes to play. Olison's three with 3:11 to go gave back the lead and UC forced four empty possessions from the Bears, setting themselves up with a 75-68 lead with less than a minute to play. Four free throws from the Patriots and a couple of errant threes from the Bears sealed the deal as UC secured the 78-70 win.

Men's basketball will return to Appalachian Wireless on Thursday, February 11^th for a matchup with Cumberland (Tenn.). Tip-off between the Bears and Phoenix is slated for 8PM (EST).