PIKEVILLE – Despite the coldest shooting day to date for UPIKE, the Bears were still able to pull out the win to close out 2018 against Simmons (Ky.) on Wednesday, 67-61.
The Bears shot just 40.7 percent from the floor and 15 percent (3-20) from beyond the arc, including missing its last 13 attempts.
However, two players were able to almost single-handedly will UPIKE to victory in Luke Layhew and Jayvian Delacruz.
Layhew scored a career-high 21 points including making seven of nine free throws. He also grabbed eight rebounds which led the team. Delacruz had an off game for his standards, but still was able to score 16 points and more importantly grabbed six rebounds.
There was legitimate doubt whether the Bears were going to win the game, especially after the Falcons had a one-point halftime lead. Simmons held a lead as late as 9:30 to go, but the Bears finally clicked and got on a 13-5 run which gave Pikeville a game-high eight-point lead.
Despite missing some late free throws, Simmons missed four of its last five shots to allow UPIKE to ice the game. Pikeville and Simmons actually shot at identical percentages, but UPIKE’s 16-shot advantage at the free throw stripe made the difference.
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This game wraps up both the 2018 and nonconference slate for UPIKE. The Bears next game is scheduled for Jan. 5 when the Bears travel to take on Shawnee State in its Mid-South Conference opener.
(Source: UPIKE Sports Information Office)