Men's Basketball Drops Third Straight at Home Against the Bears

COLUMBIA, Ky. – Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team fell in a tough home battle with the University of Pikeville (Ky.) on Saturday, 81-73. This loss drops the Blue Raiders to 1-8 in conference and 5-9 overall on the season before the break.

Despite the defeat in the close matchup, five LWC players hit the double figure mark in points with Teshaun Beckles and Johrdon Mumford leading the way with 13 points each. Connor Robinson followed up with 12 of his own and Jamyus Jones and Lucas Ribeiro contributing 10 apiece respectively.

Pikeville came out gunning on a quick 5-0 run to start the game but Lindsey Wilson matched their intensity throughout the first half as each ball club exchanged leads seven times. The Bears went on to stretch its lead to as large as seven with 10 minutes to go led by sophomore guard Devin Collins who finished with 16 points.

Lindsey Wilson clawed its back into the game and took their largest lead of four points after a trey from Mumford and a basket by Robinson with four minutes remaining. The two squads traded baskets in the final minutes and a fast break jam by Payton Cundiff allowed the Blue Raiders to close out the half up one point.

A momentum shift began from the ensuing start of the second second half as Pikeville regained the lead and never looked back. The Bears expanded their lead to 50-41 only five minutes into the half and led by as much as 13 in the contest around the 11 minute mark. Pikeville had three players above 15 points and four total in double figures.

LWC was able to cut the deficit down to just four after a Rodney Lewis corner three with 56 seconds remaining to cap off a 14-8 run. A few calls and defensive mishaps allowed the Bears to close out things on the road at the free throw line to defeat Lindsey Wilson.

Lewis finished the game with seven points and a team-high of five assists as Ribeiro added five rebounds and a career-high four blocks to his performance as well.

The Blue Raiders return to the floor on Friday, Dec. 30 when they take on Lee University (Tenn.) in Cleveland, Tenn at 5 p.m. CT.