Williamsburg, Ky. – The Bears fell 73-64 to Cumberlands on the road Saturday afternoon. The Patriots jumped out to an early lead, forcing the Bears to play from behind for the remainder of the contest.

Devin Collins recorded one of his best performances of the season, leading the Bears with 20 points. Collins grabbed seven rebounds, adding three assists and a pair of blocks. The sophomore shot an efficient 8-16 from the floor, hitting 3-8 from deep.

Jacob Brown managed his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Brown shot 5-7 from the field, pulling in four offensive boards.

The opening minutes saw the teams battle back and forth, with the Bears tying the game twice until a layup gave the Patriots a three point lead at the 15:02 mark. That bucket launched an 8-2 run from the Patriots who led 15-8 with 13:11 to go in the half. Collins splashed a Keian Worrix-assisted three pointer and a layup over the next few minutes as the Bears climbed back to within two.

A Korbin Spencer three pointer with 7:41 to go made it 19-18, bringing the Bears within one. Bradley Bunch did the same less than two minutes later as the Bears battled to secure the lead. The Patriots completed a five-minute run where they outscored the Bears 9-5 to end the half with a 33-28 lead.

The Bears came up empty in their first two possessions of the second half, but answered Cumberlands' first bucket with a three pointer by Collins. A 7-2 UPIKE run ensued featuring shots from Collins, Brown, and Parham Jr. which put them within two points of the Patriots' lead. Over the next six minutes, the Bears stayed on pace with Cumberlands and trailed 47-44 entering the final 10 minutes.

The Patriots shot out to a 13-point, 59-46 lead by the 6:38 mark. Spencer drained a three on the next UPIKE possession and the Bears outscored the Patriots 18-14 in the final six minutes but fell short of the comeback.
UPIKE men's basketball drops to 11-8 on the season with a 7-6 mark in conference play.

The Bears return to Pikeville on Thursday, January 19^th for a battle with Bethel (Tenn.) at Appalachian Wireless Arena. Tip-off between the Bears and Wildcats is slated for 7:30 PM.