Bowling Green, KY – The 2020-21 season came to an end for UPIKE women's basketball on Saturday, as the team fell 83-63 to (11) Lindsey Wilson in the Mid-South Conference quarterfinals. The Bears wrap up the season slotted sixth in the MSC.

The Bears were without all-conference senior Brianna Burbridge on Saturday but received a combined 40 points from Mary Englert and Alexis Reed. UPIKE fell behind early in the contest but continued to display the resilience we've seen from the team all season, outscoring the three-seed Blue Raiders in the second period, and playing them within a point in the third.

After going down 15-1 in the opening quarter, UPIKE regrouped to end the period with a 5-3 run and extended the run into the second. Alexis Reed and Englert both splashed threes early in the period and the Bears slowly chipped away at the Blue Raiders' advantage. Reed would strike again from deep, Fatma Aouinet gave the Bears several tough buckets, and the Bears capped the second quarter with a three from Bailey Frazier.

Lindsey Wilson's early advantage carried them the remainder of the contest, keeping the Bears behind despite a much-improved offensive showing from UPIKE. All said, Lindsey Wilson outscored UPIKE 44-39 in the second half and punched their ticket to the semifinals.

The 2020-21 season held a lot of positives for Head Coach Clifton Williams and his unit, compiling a record of 14-9 in one of the most challenging periods in collegiate athletics history. The team grinded through a conference schedule that featured several teams who will make strides in the national tournament and a total of 11 games against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the top 25. The Bears knocked off three ranked teams, showcasing their ability to play at the highest level, highlighted by their blowout win over then-9^th ranked Shawnee State in December.

The 2020-21 campaign featured growth across the board with players like Alexis Reed, Mary Englert, and Sierra Feltner elevating their games to new heights. Brianna Burbridge continued to wreak havoc on MSC defenses, meeting several personal milestones including 1,000 career points and ranking in the top three nationwide with a field goal percentage of 61%.

As a team, the Bears earned national votes in the NAIA poll for the first time since being ranked 25 at the end of the 2018-19 season. 

Following this season's run, Coach Williams holds an overall record of 85-64 at UPIKE after five seasons. The Bears nine MSC victories this season matches the coaches' career high from the 2018-19 campaign.