Pikeville, KY – Women's basketball won their sixth straight game Saturday afternoon, besting Cumberland University 71-59 in the UPIKE Gym. The Bears avenge the earlier season loss to the Phoenix in convincing fashion to improve to 16-10 (10-9 MSC).
Coach Williams' squad has not lost a game since January 27th, catching fire just in time for the end of the regular season and the start of the conference tournament.
The box score tells a story of a defensive battle, with neither team shooting above 40% from the field and a combined eight threes in the entire contest. Rebounding advantage went to UPIKE 37-32 and the Bears hit an impressive 18-20 free throws.
Sierra Feltner dropped double-digits for the fifth straight contest, leading the Bears with 17 points on 50% shooting from the floor. The senior also finished with a game-high four assists and three rebounds.
Morgan Stamper recorded her 18th double-double of the season with 11 points and 16 rebounds, including eight offensive boards. Senior
Alexis Reed finished with 14 points and was perfect from the free throw line, shooting 6-6.
The opening four minutes of the contest were completely scoreless, with UPIKE breaking the silence via a layup with 5:54 to go. The Bears went on a 13-6 run lasting until under two minutes to play in the quarter.
The Phoenix fought back in the second, going on an 8-2 run which tied the game at 21 with 7:39 to go. The game tied once more in the half before the Bears took a 35-32 lead into the locker room.
Cumberland outscored the Bears 21-18 in the third period, holding UPIKE to just 4-14 from the field. The trio of Stamper,
Georgia Sideri, and
Bailey Frazier kept the Bears in the game, combining for 15 points in the quarter. UPIKE stormed ahead with 5:31 left in the game, outscoring the Phoenix 12-2 for the remainder of the contest.
UPIKE women's basketball returns to action on Monday, February 14th against No. 2 Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, KY before facing Freed-Hardeman and (RV) Bethel to close out the regular season.
