The University of Pikeville Bears were too much for the Georgetown Tigers as they pounded the defending national champions 96-71.
Here is a recap from UPikeBears.com:
Cantino was a force all half, finishing with nine rebounds in the first 20 minutes which was crucial to the Bears being able to push ahead by seven on a last-second three from Justice before the break.
It could have ended much differently with the Tigers going back up by one with 1:30 on the clock, but Justice hit back-to-back threes and Nunnally finished a layup to give Pikeville its best cushion.
Trading baskets was the theme of the second half for the first eight minutes as the Tigers couldn’t get any closer than seven. UPIKE took its largest lead yet off a steal from Justice than ended with a slam from Reed to go up 12 with less than 11 minutes to play.
It didn’t get any better for Georgetown over the next four minutes as by the time Whitaker had added a three and a layup through the middle of the Tiger defense it was a 72-55 Bear lead.
Leading 79-63 with less than four minutes to go, the Bears didn’t let off the gas as King scored five straight points, followed by two free throws from Whitaker and a fast-break slam from King to go up by 25.
Two possessions later Manigault added another 3-point play off a turnover and the rout was on.
UPIKE will learn its opponent for the first round of the NAIA National Championship at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Here is the postgame celebration and awards ceremony:
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