KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Junior Rachel Bush recorded a double-double as the fourth-seeded University of Pikeville opened play in the AAC tournament with a 65-58 win over No. 5 Tennessee Wesleyan on Thursday afternoon.
 
Bush, a second-team all-conference pick, finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, missing only one of her eight shots from the field and making all six tries from the line.
 
Neither team shot very well. The Bears hit 43.8 percent for the game thanks to a 6 for 8 final period. That helped them overcome 8 for 24 shooting in the middle two quarters.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan, which finished 11-15, shot only 28.3 percent for the game.
 
The Bears got on the scoreboard first with an Allie Stone jumper. After Wesleyan freshman Camryn Brown made a free throw, Bush scored her first basket to make it 4-1.
 
The game was tied twice, but UPike never trailed on the day.
 
Bush was joined in double digits by sophomore Jaaliyah Warren. The first-team all-conference pick had 13 points thanks to nailing three three-point shots.
 
AAC Freshman of the Year Anika Stehbens followed with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Bulldogs were led by freshman Leslie Hames with 18 points. She was 9 for 10 from the free throw line and connected on three three-point shots.
 
Sophomore Jalaya Lindsey followed with 12 points and led her team with eight rebounds as well as with three steals.
 
UPike improved to 16-13 on the season and advances to the semifinals where it will meet No. 1 Milligan (Tenn.). The teams split their regular-season meetings this season. When the Bears beat the Buffs on Jan. 21 by a score of 72-64, it was the only loss they suffered against league competition.
 
Friday's game will tip off at 6 p.m. at the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort and Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn.