PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore Allie Stone fired in a career-high 29 points Monday night to lead the University of Pikeville past Johnson (Tenn.) University 97-87.
 
Stone was 11-of-16 from the floor and sank all seven free throws, while passing out a team-best seven assists, leading six Bears in double figures in the win.
 
UPike (15-6, 11-4 in the AAC) took a 15-11 lead on a three-point play by graduate student Bailey Frazier midway through the first period before the Royals ran off eight straight points to take the lead. Freshman Hannah Jones had the middle four and when freshman Sloan Carpenter scored inside the Royals were in front 19-15 with 1:16 left in the first period.
 
Johnson (11-9, 9-5) opened the second with a 12-2 run. Jones had four, including the free throws with 7:24 left to make the lead 33-21.
 
The Bears responded with a 9-1 run to claw back in it. Sophomore India Blyth had the first five, and when freshman Rachel Bush followed a jumper from Stone, the Bears were back within four, 34-30.
 
UPike went on a 12-1 run late in the half to gain the lead. They needed only two shots from the floor, making them both, thanks to going 7-of-7 from the line, and a pair of Blyth tosses with 35 seconds left made the score 42-38 with 35 seconds left.
 
At the break, the Bears led 44-41.
 
The Royals battled back to take the lead at 51-49 with 6:14 left when Jones scored inside. But the Bears answered with three straight baskets – from Stone, Stamper and senior Bailey Birchfield – to regain the lead.
 
Those points began a 12-2 run that ended with 2:05 left in the third when Bush scored inside to put the Bears on top 61-53.
 
UPike closed out the half with five more in a row to start a 9-0 run that ended when sophomore Katie Collopy sank two free throws with 9:10 left to make the lead 70-56.
 
Johnson got within six twice in the final period but could get no closer.
 
Parker and Blyth scored 14 apiece for the Bears, grabbing six and four rebounds, respectively.
 
Stamper earned her 10^th double-double of the season, scoring 13 and pulling down 12 rebounds, eight of which came off the offensive glass.
 
Buch came off the bench for 11 while Frazier added 10.
 
Jones led the Royals with 23 points and nine rebounds, while freshman Bekah Gardner tossed in 22.
 
Junior Jordan Heifner was solid all around, scoring 11, pulling down six rebounds and handing out eight assists.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Wednesday night, hosting Bryan College at 5:30 at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.