Bears build big lead early, hang on late to upset RedStorm

Rio Grande Sports Information
     RIO GRANDE, Ohio - For a second straight outing, the University of Rio Grande women's basketball team got off to an uncharacteristic slow start.
     And while the RedStorm mounted a furious second half rally, their efforts at recording a remarkable comeback came up just short - with a controversial official's call helping to serve as an extinguisher.
     The University of Pikeville watched their 22-point second quarter lead dwindle down to one with just over three minutes remaining, but the Bears were nearly perfect down the stretch at the free throw line and held on for a 93-87 win, Tuesday afternoon, in non-conference action at the Newt Oliver Arena.
     Pikeville improved to 11-2 with a ninth straight victory.
     Rio Grande, which is ranked No. 14 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, had a four-game winning streak snapped and slipped to 11-3 with the loss.
     The RedStorm managed a season-low 11 points in the opening quarter and found themselves trailing by as much as 35-13 after UPike's Bailey Frazier drilled a three-point goal with 7:08 remaining in the first half.
     The Bears still enjoyed a 20-point cushion, 49-29, after a jumper by Rachel Bush just 29 seconds into the second half, but that's when Rio Grande lit the fire on its comeback attempt.
     The RedStorm sliced their deficit to 10 points, 64-54, by the close of the third quarter and kept coming in the final stanza, pulling to within 74-69 after a conventional three-point play by junior Kaylee Darnell (Wheelersburg, OH) with 4:24 left to play.
     But Rio Grande's building momentum was stunted moments later on Pikeville's ensuing possession.
     Darnell deflected a backcourt pass from UPike's Morgan Stamper and the loose ball was picked up by Rio senior Lavender Ward (Charleston, WV), who passed the ball ahead to Darnell for what would've been an uncontested layup and a three-point deficit.
     However, Ward - who was falling down while making the pass to Darnell - was inexplicably whistled for an offensive foul when Frazier tripped over her while making an effort to prevent the pass.
     During the argument which followed, Rio junior Marina Garcia Perez (Leon, Spain) was whistled for a technical foul for kicking the ball away and UPike's Allie Stone hit both of her subsequent free throws to send the lead back to seven, 76-69, with 4:15 remaining.
     Rio Grande followed with six straight points, closing the gap to 76-75 after a Darnell layup with 3:12 left, but never managed to forge a tie or regain the lead in the closing minutes.
     Pikeville went 16-for-18 at the free throw line in the final period, including 15-for-16 over the final 2:46 to hang on for the victory - their second in a row on the road against the RedStorm.
     Stone led a quartet of double-digit scorers for the Bears, netting 23 points to go along with three assists. Frazier finished with a season-high 20 points in addition to three assists, three steals and three blocked shots.
     Stamper added a season-high 17 points and a game-best 14 rebounds, while Bush tallied 16 points - 14 of which came after halftime.
     Pikeville finished 32-for-64 overall (50.0%) and 23-for-29 at the foul line (79.3%), while also enjoying a 32-26 edge in rebounding.
     Rio Grande shot 54.4 percent for the game (31-for-57), including a 20-for-32 performance (62.5%) over the final two quarters, and was 21-for-24 (87.5%) at the charity stripe.
     Darnell finished with a game-high 29 points and five steals in a losing cause, while junior Lexi Woods (Waverly, OH) had 12 points, senior Aleea Crites (Parkersburg, OH) pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and junior Azyiah Williams (Ripley, OH) handed out five assists.
     Rio Grande is scheduled to return to action on Saturday, Dec. 30, at Spring Arbor (Mich.).