UPIKE Athletics

 
 
BLUEFIELD, Va. – The University of Pikeville women's basketball team opened conference play on Wednesday night with a 71-37 win over Bluefield University.
 
The Bears scored the game's first 10 points and led 14-2 after one quarter. By the half, the lead had expanded to 31-11.
 
UPike (3-1) won easily but shot only 41.9 percent overall and 26.3 percent from the arc.
 
The Bears held the Rams to 27.1 percent from the field and 2 of 20, 10 percent, from the arc. To further complicate things for the home team, UPike forced 28 turnovers and was credited with 15 steals.
 
UPike had two players in double figures in the game, as sophomores Anika Stehbens and Sophie Adkins recorded 21 and 15, respectively. They each had seven rebounds and three assists and combined for 36 points on 13 of 19 shooting from the field and 4 for 7 from outside.
 
Senior Rachel Bush, who had opened the season with three consecutive double-doubles, finished Wednesday's contest with six points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots.
 
UPike had 44 rebounds compared to 34 for Bluefield and pulled 14 off the offensive glass.
 
Abby O'Quinn and Hannah Smith scored six points apiece to lead the Rams.
 
The Bears will remain on the road on Saturday when they travel to play Columbia International (S.C.) University. The opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.