11/1/2021 | Women’s Basketball

Pikeville, KY – UPIKE fans got their first look at the 2021-22 women’s basketball squad Monday night as the Bears bumped up to NCAA D1 Northern Kentucky University in exhibition action. The Norse pulled away with a 73-48 victory, but the game was not without its positives for Coach Williams’ unit.

Fronting the Bears offense in the debut was senior juggernaut Mary Englert who splashed home 50% of her shots from the field, including 3-6 from deep to finish with 18 points. Englert shot a clean 75% from the free throw line and added three boards in the effort as well, tying NKU’s Ivy Turner for the leading scorer in the contest.

Independence, KY native Morgan Stamper piloted the rebounding effort for UPIKE, grabbing six off the offensive glass and adding seven more defensively to finish with 13 boards. Stamper now has five career efforts with 13 or more rebounds following Monday’s contest. Georgia Sideri went three of eight from the floor, draining a pair of threes and finished with eight points.

The Bears took a lopsided advantage from the free throw line, connecting on 76.9 from the stripe but rebounding and field goal percentage went to the Norse.

The first five minutes of the opening quarter belonged to the Bears who shot out on a 10-2 run that featured threes from Sideri and Englert as well as four points from Stamper. The Norse made their way back into the contest toward the end of the first but UPIKE held out the lead until 8:00 to go in the second period. The half ended after a 13-6 run by the Nourse that made it 35-26 heading into the break.

The two teams traded baskets for stints of the second half but the Norse offensive attack and forced turnovers in the third quarter helped to bury the Bears down the stretch. In the final quarter the Bears held NKU to 11 points but deal was sealed.

UPIKE women’s basketball makes their official 2021-22 debut this week in the friendly confines of the UPIKE Gym on Wednesday, November 3^rd against Miami-Hamilton. Tip-off between the Bears and Harriers is slated for 5PM and fans can catch the action live via the UPIKE Sports Network.