PIKEVILLE, Ky. – A balanced attack and a 19-0 first-half run carried the University of Pikeville to an 80-54 win over Brenau (Ga.) University on Wednesday night at the UPike Gym.
 
UPike (18-7 overall, 14-5 in the AAC) scored the final basket of the first quarter and then ripped off 17 unanswered points to start the second period to take full control.
 
Freshman Rachel Bush scored inside to break a 16-16 tie to end the first quarter. Sophomore Jaidy Mejia-Andrade sank two free throws to start the second. Senior Bailey Birchfield had a layup and a free throw to make the lead 23-16 with 8:18 left in the half.
 
Mejia-Andrade scored on a layup before sophomore Katie Collopy nailed a three. Mejia-Andrade and Bush scored again before sophomore Allie Stone closed the run with a triple to make the score 35-16 with 4:50 remaining in the half.
 
UPike took a 44-23 lead to the half.
 
The Bears outscored the Golden Tigers 36-31 in the second half.
 
Stone led the Bears with 20 points thanks to 4-of-7 shooting from the arc. She also handed out seven assists in the win.
 
Mejia-Andrade matched her season high with 12 points while pulling down seven rebounds and blocking two shots. Senior Morgan Stamper turned in her 50^th career double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
 
The Bears won the rebounding battle 46-38 and had 13 off the offensive glass.
 
Brenau (9-13, 8-12) was led by sophomore Anna Gliatta, who had 23 points. She hit all four of her three-point tries and pulled down 10 rebounds.
 
Senior Nyla Moore followed with 12 points and five rebounds.
 
UPike will be on the road Saturday, visiting Truett McConnell (Ga.) University. The game will tip off at 2 p.m.