Portsmouth, Ohio (Men's Basketball) – The Shawnee State men's basketball team led early in the game, taking a six point lead into the half, but with 11:26 remaining on the clock, the Bears surrendered the lead following a 13-point run by the visiting University of Pikeville en route to a 75-68 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Frank & Janis Waller Gymnasium.

Frederick Moore (SO/Cincinnati, Ohio) finished the contest with a team-high 17 points and nine rebounds. Moore tallied a majority of his points in the first half, as Pikeville tightened up on the defensive end in the second half, forcing Shawnee to shoot only 40.6 percent from the field.

The Bears came out of the gate hot, going on an 8-2 run thanks to six points fromDante Dunston (SR/Dallas, Texas). Shawnee State was able to stretch their lead to nine early with a score of 20-11.

Moore established himself early in the game leading the team in points, with 17 and seven rebounds in the opening frame. Shawnee shot 50 percent from the field in the first half and grabbed 16 offensive rebounds.

To start the second half, the Bears stretched their lead to 10 thanks to a jumper by Nick Tingle (SR/Clayton, Ohio) and a layup by Dunston. Dunston finished the contest with 12 points.

Pikeville reduced the Bears lead to 46-44 at the 12:30 mark before Jackson Hussey and Trey Rakes made back-to-back baskets to take the lead, 48-46. SSU was able to tie the game with five minutes remaining, thanks to a three pointer from Devon Carter (SR/Clayton, Ohio), but Pikeville went on an 8-2 run and never looked back.

Ethan Moffatt (SR/Somerville, Tenn.) had a strong showing in the contest finishing with 11 points and eight rebounds. The Bears record currently stands at 11-13 overall and 5-7 in Mid-South Conference play.

Shawnee will return to action Thursday when travel to Lebanon, Tenn. to take on Cumberland University at the Dallas Floyd Recreation Center. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 8 p.m.