DAYTON, Tenn. – Bryan College jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, pulling out an 80-68 win over the University of Pikeville Tuesday night.
The loss for the Bears was their third in a row after running off nine straight wins.
Bryan jumped out to a 17-9 lead before the Bears began a comeback. Over the next 3:40, a stretch that dragged into the second quarter, UPike went on a 9-2 run.
Sophomore Allie Stone nailed a pair of three-pointers to pull back within two at 17-15. After Bryan scored on a Samantha Russell to end the first period, senior Julia Parker opened the second frame with another three-pointer.
The basket pulled UPike within a single point at 19-18.
But the Lions responded with an 11-0 run of their own. Senior Samantha Russell had eight points in the stretch, with the Lions making all four of their shots while the Bears managed to take only two.
When it ended, on a layup by senior Kaitlynn Hennessee, the Lions led 33-20 with 5:48 left in the half.
In the second half, the Bears scored 12 straight points to end the third and begin the fourth period. Sophomore India Blyth had six points while Parker tossed in four, coming on back-to-back jumpers to pull the Bears within five points at 63-58 with 6:38 left in the game.
But the Lions scored the next seven points, and UPike wouldn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.
Stone led all scorers with 28 points, hitting 4-of-5 from the arc. Graduate student Bailey Frazier followed with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Parker fired in 10 points.
Russell scored 26 to lead the Lions. Senior Allissa Mulaski followed with 20, thanks to hitting 4-of-5 from the arc.
Hennessee was solid in every aspect, ending with 18 points, six rebounds, nine assists and six steals.
UPike (11-5, 7-3 in the AAC) will remain on the road on Saturday, visiting Columbia International (S.C.) University at 2 p.m.
