Pikeville, Ky. - The University of Pikeville Bears were defeated 79-69 by the (RV) University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Patriots Thursday night. 

UPIKE jumped out to an early 7-2 lead after layups from Teddy Parham Jr. and Elijah Herron. UPIKE held the lead until UC went on an 8-3 run with 12 minutes to play in the half. Cumberlands led 19-17 but the Bears took the lead right back with a 10-1 run. With just over eight minutes to play, the Bears led 27-20. UPIKE struggled during the final eight minutes while the Patriots caught fire. UC outscored UPIKE 22-7 in the final 8:16 of the first half and led 42-34 at the half. 

Cumberlands stretched their lead out to nine early in the second half. UPIKE cut into the Patriots' lead when Elijah Herron hit a free throw to get within four with 14:33 remaining. UC shut the door on the Bears' comeback bid with an 11-2 run to go up 13 with 11 minutes to go. The Bears were unable to put together a comeback in this one and fell 79-69. 

Teddy Parham Jr. led UPIKE with 22 points. Elijah Herron was second in scoring with 17 points but led UPIKE with five assists on the night. Both Parham and Herron had eight rebounds as well. 

UPIKE's record slips to 5-4 (2-2 MSC). Next up for the Bears is a trip up the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway for a matchup with the Georgetown College Tigers. 

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