PIKEVILLE, Ky – The University of Pikeville outscored Milligan (Tenn.) University 39-20 in the second half to turn a nine-point halftime deficit into an 83-73 win on Tuesday night.
 
The Bears improved to 2-1 overall with the win in game which doubled as their home opener and their first game in league play.
 
UPike, the preseason favorite to win the AAC after winning the conference tournament title last March, trailed a Milligan team that was picked second in the preseason poll 53-44 at the half as the Buffs held a 20-12 advantage on the glass and shot 53.7 percent from the field.
 
The last 20 minutes were a different game, as the Bears held the Buffs to 24.2 percent shooting and dominated the glass to the tune of 26-16 to win the overall rebounding battle 40-38.
 
Junior guard Allie Stone, who was honored in a pregame ceremony for scoring her 1,000^th point, led all scorers with 22 points. The milestone was passed last March during UPike's run to the conference championship.
 
She added five rebounds and five assists in the win.
 
Junior India Blyth followed with 15 points and three assists. Freshman Jaaliyah Warren, playing her first collegiate home game, finished with 13 points, adding seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
 
Sophomore forward Rachel Bush had 11 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots, while junior Jady Mejia-Andrade recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Milligan (1-4, 0-1) was led in scoring by senior Lauren Longmire, who scored all 16 of her points before halftime. She had 11 rebounds and six assists as well.
 
The league's leading scorer, Jaycie Jenkins, was held to 12 points, less than half of her 26.0 average entering the game. Junior Semej Clark was the third player in the game to record a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
UPike will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Dayton, Tenn., to play last year's regular-season champion Bryan College. The game will tip off at 2 p.m.