Williamsburg, KY – A late fourth quarter rally by the Patriots brought them within striking distance, but the Bears of the University of Pikeville would muster enough to pull away from UC in an 82-75 win over Cumberlands. The loss sends the Patriots to 12-11 overall on the year.  
 
UPike would open the game on a 12-3 in the first five minutes, but the Patriots would climb back in quickly with an 11-5 run of their own to make it 17-14 with a minute left in the period. A late basket by the Bears would give them a 19-14 lead after one. Pikeville seemed to make two baskets for each of UC's one as the Bears held a 41-31 lead at the break.
 
Cumberlands would do what they could to get back into the game in the third, but UPike would again extend their lead, this time to their largest margin at the time of 17 at the end of the quarter with the score 63-46. After going down by 19 at 69-50, the Patriots would rally to get it back within seven at 77-70, but that's as close as they could get with the Bears earning the 82-75 win.
 
The Patriots were led by a pair of double digit scorers. Hannah Lawson pitched in 22 points with five rebounds while Megan Morton added 17 points and a pair of boards. On the night, UC shot 45% from the field, 57.1% from deep, and 13-17 from the charity stripe. UPike was led by on the night by Mary Englert with 18 points while Brianna Burbridge chipped in 16 with seven rebounds. The Bears shot 45.5% from the field, but 25-33 (75.8%) from the free throw line.
 
UC returns to action on Saturday, February 2^nd as they host Shawnee State University in another Mid-South Conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.
 
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