UPIKE Athletics

 
 
Anika Stehbens had 21 points and senior Rachel Bush posted a double-double as the University of Pikeville opened its season with a 76-56 win over WVU Tech on Wednesday night at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
 
The Bears won the rebounding battle 47-31 thanks to 19 offensive rebounds, six of them by junior Makena Patrick and five by Bush, who had 10 rebounds to go with 17 points.
 
Stehbens, the sophomore from Melbourne, Aust., was 9 for 12 from the field and also handed out five assists for the Bears.
 
Patrick had eight points to go with 10 rebounds.
 
UPike led 20-16 after one period, then outscored the Golden Bears 24-17 in the second frame to lead 44-33 at the break.
 
Each team tossed in 13 points in the third before UPike outscored Tech 19-10 in the fourth.
 
WVU Tech got 16 points from senior guard Cadence Stewart. Sophomore guard Halle Crouse had nine points and six rebounds off the bench.
 
UPike will be back in action on Friday afternoon when it hosts the UPike Classic. The Bears battle Taylor (Ind.) University at 4 p.m. That game will be preceded by a 2 p.m. contest between Midway University and the University of St. Francis (Ind.).