University of Pikeville standout Korbin Spencer has come up big in his career as a Bear.
None, however, with the impact of his game-winning basket to beat Wilberforce University, 71-69, in the Mid-South Conference tournament opener at the UPIKE Gymnasium on Tuesday night.
The running layup in traffic came with 1.8 seconds left and set off a frenzy, keeping the season alive.
Mark Vance Jr. and Spencer finished with 15 points apiece. Teddy Parham Jr. followed with 14 and Devin Collins added 11.
Fifth-seeded UPIKE (18-11) will now play No. 4 Shawnee State (17-11) in the quarterfinals at Bowling Green on Saturday.
At Pikeville
(MSC Tournament)
SCORE BY HALVES:
WU (3-25)….36 33 – 69
UP (18-11)….37 34 – 71
Scoring:
Wilberforce University (69) – Kyle Cardenas 3(2) 0-1 12; Bobby McFadden 3 6-9 12; Cory Davis 5 1-1 11; Cali Davis 2(1) 3-5 10; Jamir Hymes 3 0-0 6; James Ringo 3(1) 0-0 9; Josh Mitchell 3 0-0 6; and Rasaad Pettis 0(1) 0-0 3. Totals: 22(5) 10-16 69.
UPIKE (71) – Korbin Spencer 4(2) 1-2 15; Mark Vance Jr. 6 3-8 15; Teddy Parham Jr. 4 6-11 14; Devin Collins 5 1-4 11; Keian Worrix 2 1-4 5; Jacob Brown 2 0-1 4; Bradley Bunch 2 2-3 6; and Kenyan Cutlip 0 1-2 1. Totals: 25(2) 15-35 71.
Next up: UPIKE (18-11) vs. Shawnee State (17-11), MSC quarterfinals, at Bowling Green, 3 pm, Feb. 25.