Pikeville, KY – Senior Jordan Griggs netted a career-high 33 points to lead the #15 UC men's basketball team to an 85-79 win over (RV) Pikeville Saturday afternoon. With the win the Patriots improve to 22-6 overall and 11-3 against the MSC, while the Bears fall to 19-9 overall and 6-9 in conference play.

Griggs went 12-15 from the field, including converted all five of his three-pointers to go along with three steals and two blocks.  Jahi Hinson added 17 points, while Tevin Olison finished with 12 points.  Snapp added ten points as Caleb Taylor chipped in a team-high 11 rebounds.

The Patriots opened the game strong as Olison and Griggs put UC up 5-0.  Pikeville responded with an 11-2 run to take an 11-7 lead five minutes into the first half.  The two teams traded buckets over the next five minutes as Snapp hit from long range to cut UC's deficit to 22-20 with 9:31 left.  Steven Fitzgerald added a pair of free throws to even the score, before the Bears went on a 9-4 run to take a 31-26 lead.  Snapp responded with five straight points to tie the game at 31-31.  Pikeville closed out the first half on a 14-6 run to take a 45-31 lead at the half.

The two teams traded baskets to open the second as UPike lead 53-42 three minutes in.  Fitzgerald and Griggs combined for UC's next seven points to bring the Patriots within five with 14:50 remaining.  A couple possessions later Griggs connected with Hunter Bode for a field goal coupled with a three-point from the senior tied the game 58-58 with 11:24 left.  The game saw six lead changes and three ties over the next ten minutes of play with the last one coming at 73-73 with 3:24 left.  The Patriots pulled away as Griggs and Hinson score seven unanswered points to give UC an 80-73 lead with 1:55 remaining.  Pikeville outscored Cumberlands 6-5 over the final two minutes for the 85-79 final.

The Patriots will return to action Thursday, February 27, when they return home to face Lindsey Wilson College.  Tip off is slated for 8 p.m. with live stats will be available here.

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