Lebanon, TN – The win streak ceased at five for UPIKE women's basketball as their second half comeback effort fell just three points short against Cumberland. The Bears trailed by 14 headed into the final quarter, despite outscoring the Phoenix 23-12 in those final 10 minutes, they fell by a final score of 75-72.

Mary Englert and Hailey Free were the top scorers for the Bears, each dropping 18 points. Free managed a 6-9 clip from the field and added three assists and a pair of rebounds. Englert dropped in six of her 16 shots, adding six from the charity stripe. Englert also pulled in eight rebounds and dished out a trio of assists.

The rebounding battle between the teams was close, with UPIKE edging the Phoenix with 36 to their 35. Cumberland benefited from work on the offensive glass, winning the second chance points category 20-4.

As a team the Bears shot a solid 44% from the floor, adding just two from beyond the arc to finish 2-9. The second quarter was the hottest shooting wise for the Bears as they shot 55% from the floor and added a whopping 13 free throws.

The Phoenix got out to the hot start and outscored the Bears 22-12 in the opening quarter but UPIKE roared back in the second period, mounting an unprecedented 18-4 run that spanned the final four minutes of the half. The Bears trailed just 42-36 at the break.

Cumberland extended their lead back out to as many as 15 in the third, thanks in part to a 9-6 run in the heart of the quarter. Free kicked off the fourth with back to back shots to help the Bears build momentum as they launched into a huge run that brought them to within one point with just over a minute to go. Englert kept the Bears within one with a layup inside a minute but Cumberland would seal the win with free throws in the final seconds.

The Bears return to the court on Thursday, January 20th for a matchup with the Firehawks of UT-Southern at home. Tip-off from Appalachian Wireless Arena is slated for 6PM.