AVE MARIA, Fla. — UPIKE’s post-holiday road trip to the Sunshine State ended in style on Tuesday as it rocketed past Florida National 114-91 behind season-high 61.3 percent shooting from the field.
The Bears topped Florida College 108-71 on Monday, making it a perfect 2-0 trip, while improving to 14-1 on the season. Earlier in the day, UPIKE learned it remained fourth in the NAIA Top-25 Poll for the second straight week.
Florida National hit 10 threes and the Bears committed 21 turnovers, both season highs, but K.K. Simmons was too good with 29 points, including five threes, to help UPIKE avoid a loss. Led by Simmons, the Bears outshot FNU from the field 61.3 to 48.6 percent.
Kenny Manigault added 19 points and five assists for UPIKE and Macari Brooks finished with 17 points and five rebounds. Christian Leach was big off the bench, coming away with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. Both teams finished with 31 boards each for the game.
Regan O’Rourke had a bid night too for Florida National (8-8), tallying 26 points and hitting six 3-pointers, while Josh Hogan came away with nine points and a game-best nine rebounds.
FNU couldn’t help itself from the free-throw line, making just 13-of-27 shots as UPIKE connected on 27 of 40 freebies. And while the Bears’ 21 turnovers weren’t great, Florida National did them seven better with 28.
UPIKE shot over 74 percent from the field in the first half to take a 64-42 lead at halftime. The Bears’ lead reached double figures at 29-17 on a Simmons three eight minutes into the action in a game that FNU never led.
The lead grew as high as 27 points at 107-80 on a bucket in the paint by Leach as Florida National was only able to get as close as 14 points seven minutes into the half at 80-66. UPIKE responded with a 9-0 run to put the game away for good.
The Bears return to action at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 10 against Carlow (Pa.) at the East Ky. Expo Center.
Bear Facts
· 114 points were the most given up by Florida National this season, including NCAA Div. I exhibitions against UNLV and Jacksonville. The Bears have scored at least 100 points nine times this season.
· The 114 points scored are the third most this season, trailing 124 and 117.
· K.K. Simmons has hit at least five 3-pointers five times this season.
Comments
