Rio women start fast, cruise past Pikeville

Rio Grande Sports Information
     WILLIAMSON, W.Va. - The University of Rio Grande quickly built a double-digit lead and never looked back, cruising to an 87-74 triumph over the University of Pikeville, Saturday afternoon, in non-conference women's basketball action at the historic Williamson Fieldhouse.
     The contest was part of the 2nd Annual Coalfield Legends Classic.
     Rio Grande, which was ranked No. 8 in the latest NAIA Top 25 coaches' poll, rebounded from a home loss to Marian University one week earlier and improved to 10-1.
     Pikeville, which was playing without the services of standout guard Allie Stone, who suffered a knee injury just before the Thanksgiving holiday, dropped to 7-6 with the loss, including 1-5 against non-conference foes.
     The Bears got the game's first two points on a jumper by Rachel Bush just 22 seconds in, but Rio Grande responded by reeling off 11 consecutive points and never trailed again.
     The RedStorm enjoyed a 12-point advantage by the close of the opening stanza and led by as many as 20 points in the second quarter before settling on a 19-point cushion, 47-28, at the intermission.
     The lead grew to as many as 25 points on two occasions in the third period although, as Rio began to substitute liberally, the Bears closed to within 17 at the close of the period and drew as close as 12 at 84-72 with 1:55 left in the game following a three-pointer by Sophie Adkins.
     However, the UPike comeback got no closer.
     Nine of the 11 Rio players scored in the victory, including three in double figures.
     Senior Marlee Grinstead (Albany, OH) led the way with 19 points to go along with seven assists, six steals and five rebounds.
     Junior Sophia Kline (Sugar Grove, OH) had 16 points, 17 rebounds, three steals and three blocks, while sophomore Payton Johnson (Peebles, OH) had 11 points and senior Marina Garcia Perez (Leon, Spain) had a game-high 10 assists.
     Rio Grande shot just 50 percent overall (36-for-73) and was 7-for-17 from distance (41.2%), helping to alleviate an 8-for-14 (57.1%) showing at the foul line.
     The RedStorm also outrebounded the Bears, 44-37.
     Anika Stehbens led UPike with 22 points and four assists, while Adkins tallied 14 points off the bench and Jaidy Mejia-Andrade snared 11 rebounds and had three steals.
     Pikeville shot just under 43 percent overall (30-for-70) and was 10-for-14 at the foul line (71.4%), but committed 19 turnovers which led to 25 points for Rio Grande.
     The RedStorm are scheduled to return to action on Monday, Dec. 29 when they host Cornerstone (Mich.) in the opening round of the Woods Lumber Classic at the Newt Oliver Arena.
     Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.