PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – The University of Pikeville fell to Shawnee State University 72-61 on Wednesday night.
 
UPike, playing with only seven in uniform, was within two at 46-44 when the fourth quarter started of SSU, which received votes in the NAIA poll that was released earlier Wednesday.
 
But Shawnee held a 26-17 scoring advantage in the final 10 minutes to secure the win.
 
Pikeville (7-5) stayed in the game despite shooting only 37.9 percent from the field and 32 percent on three-point tries. It did sink 9 for 11 (81.8 percent) from the free throw line.
 
After shooting only 18 of 55 (32.7 percent) in the first three periods, Shawnee heated up down the stretch, going 9 for 13 in the final quarter.
 
UPike sophomore Jaaliyah Warren hit five three-pointers to lead all scorers with 19 points. She was one of three Bears with three steals in the game.
 
Sophomore Hazley Matthews came off the bench with a solid performance, scoring 12 points, handing out five assists, pulling down four rebounds and recording three steals.
 
Freshman Anika Stehbens finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Senior Jaidy Mejia-Andrade led the Bears with eight rebounds.
 
TK Catchings led Shawnee State with 15 points on 7 for 10 shooting. She also had six rebounds in the win.
 
Kyla Torok recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for Shawnee. Lilly-May Walker followed with 10 points.
 
UPike will play one more game before the Christmas break, traveling Saturday to Williamson, W.Va. There it will play the University of Rio Grande (Ohio), which moved up five spots to No. 8 in the nation in Wednesday's latest rankings of NAIA teams.
 
Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.