UPIKE Athletics

After a solid first half of play against No. 9 St. Francis (Ind.), the second half didn't go the University of Pikeville's way in an 85-44 loss in Saturday's UPike Classic.
 
UPike (2-1) battled the first half and trailed only 36-27 at the break but struggled to score in the second half. The Bears shot only 7 of 29 (24.1 percent) in the second half and missed all eight shots from the arc.
 
It was a solid day for senior Rachel Bush, who scored 10 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Six of the caroms were off the offensive glass.
 
Sophomore Anika Stehbens led the Bears with 12 points and four assists. Sophomore Ella Giles came off the bench with eight points, hitting all three of her shots from the floor.
 
Saint Francis was led by senior all-America Cali Gregory, who had 27 points thanks to five three-pointers. She also had four steals and three rebounds.
 
Senior forward Renna Pearson had a double-double, scoring 15 on 7 of 8 shooting from the floor while grabbing 10 rebounds and handing out five assists. Sophomore Addison Bowsman came off the bench to score 15 points, going 3 of 3 from the arc.
 
Senior Taylor Fordyce had 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
 
UPike will now begin conference play, traveling to Bluefield, Va., to play the Rams on Wednesday. Tip off is slated for 5:30 p.m.