Box Score FRANKFORT, Ky. - Pikeville out-scored Campbellsville 14-7 in overtime and eliminated the Tigers in the opening round of the Mid-South Tournament, 85-78 Friday afternoon.



The Tigers trailed 50-38 with three minutes gone in the second half, and fought their way back to eventually take a lead (71-69) with 1:30 to when JaVaughn Espritt hit a follow and a free throw.

"JaVaughn had another double-double (21 points, 15 rebounds) and showed why he was named all conference," said coach Keith Adkins. "We played good enough to win, but in crucial situations we made too many mistakes."

The Tigers had 13 turnovers to Pikeville's 10, but several miscues were when CU trailed by a handful of points.

"There are no easy games in the Mid-South," said Adkins. "I thought we had as good a shot as anyone. We had a pretty good game, just not good enough for a win."

Campbellsville (16-15) led 14-9 early, but the Bears went on a 10-0 run to take control of the first half. Caleb Harris, who led the Tigers with 32 points, had to sit nine minutes of the first half when he picked up his second foul (a technical) or arguing a referee's call.

"Caleb did some really good things, but sometime he lets his emotions get the best of him," said Adkins. "He by no means cost us the game, but that call changed the whole complexion."

Harris' 32 points was a career high.

In overtime, CU never led. Pikeville went up 73-71 in a Andre Thornton field goal and the Bears scored 10 of the next 12 points.

The Tigers' 16-15 record is tarnished mostly in conference play where CU had eight losses to teams ranked higher in the standings. Only two wins over Lindsey Wilson keep that number from being 10-0.

Campbellsville has had good luck against Pikeville in the postseason, holding a 6-1 advantage until Friday, including 2-0 in MSC Tournament play. But the Bears own the all-time series, 50-42.

The Tigers' NAIA season comes to a close, but CU will play on in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Tournament. Campbellsville is the No. 1 seed in the NCCAA Mid-East Region, and will host the region semifinal Thursday, March 10 at 7 p.m. ET. CU will play the winner of Tuesday's game between Victory Christian and Oakland City. The other semifinal will be between Tennessee Temple and second-seed King College. The region championship will be played Saturday, March 12 at 3 p.m. ET at the higher seed's home court.


STAT SUMMARY

Pikeville (85) - Cooksey 7-21 3-6 19, Hankins-Cole 9-13 5-5 23, Hicks 3-9 8-9 17, Setty 1-4 0-0 3, Whitaker 1-4 0-0 2, Donald 6-9 4-5 17, Thornton 2-5 0-1 4. Totals 29-66 20-26 85.

Tigers (78) - Espritt 7-10 7-7 21, Harris 9-23 13-15 32, Savage 1-7 0-0 3, Crittenden 2-7 2-2 7, Whelan 2-4 0-0 5, Smith 1-6 1-6 4, Bohm 2-2 0-0 4, Lopez 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 24-59 25-32 78.

Half-time - Pikeville 41-35.

Three-point goals - Pikeville 7-27 (Hicks 3, Cooksey 2 Setty 1, Donald 1), Campbellsville 5-22 (Savage 1, Whelan 1, Smith 1, Harris 1, Critenden 1).

Rebounds - Pikeville 40 (Hankins-Cole 18), Campbellsville 40 (Espritt 13, Smith 7).

Assists - Pikeville 10 (Cooksey 5, Hicks 5), Campbellsville 11 (Savage 4, Whelan 3).

Steals - Pikeville 8, Campbellsville 4.