PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Oakland City (Ind.) University blistered the nets for 93.3 percent in the first period and built a lead the University of Pikeville couldn't overcome in an 89-84 win on Friday afternoon at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
 
The incredible shooting combined with UPike shooting only 17.6 percent in the second quarter was the difference in the game.
 
The loss for the Bears ended a nine-game win streak, sending them to the Christmas break at 11-3 on the season.
 
A jumper by sophomore Allie Stone put the Bears on top 10-7 with 7:39 left in the opening frame. But the Mighty Oaks then ran off 12 unanswered points, with four different players scoring, and when junior Monesjia Harvey scored inside, they led 19-10 with 5:14 left.
 
With 8:01 left in the half, senior Bailey Birchfield hit a three-pointer to get UPike within 10 at 35-25, but Oakland City went on another run, this time scoring eight straight, to take a 43-25 lead.
 
The Oaks took a 49-32 lead to the half.
 
Trailing 56-40 with 6:05 left in the third, the Bears went on a 10-2 run to get back in it. Birchfield got it started with a three-pointer and a layup, and a jumper by freshman Rachel Bush with 3:58 left cut the deficit to 58-50.
 
The Bears had an 8-2 run early in the fourth quarter, getting four from Bush, and a layup by Stone with 6:49 left had them within one possession at 68-65.
 
But that was as close as they'd get. UPike cut the lead to three on five different occasions but got no closer as the win streak came to an end.
 
Stone paced five Bears in double figures with 24 to lead all scorers. Stamper had 15 points and 13 rebounds, including a first-quarter layup with 3:32 left that added her name to the 1,000-point club. This came six days after she claimed her 1,000^th career rebound.
 
Birchfield had 15 as well, and had five steals. Bush had 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while graduate student Bailey Frazier added 10.
 
Oakland City got 23 points each from seniors Jalaya Dowell and Emilee Hope. Hope had five three-pointers while Dowell pulled down nine rebounds.
 
Senior Marissa Austin followed with 19 of her own.
 
UPike will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 30, hosting Campbellsville University. The game, to be played at the UPike Gym, is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m.