COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson women's basketball team dropped their Mid-South Conference opener on Friday evening to Pikeville 69-56 at Biggers Sports Center.

Lindsey Wilson (4-1, 0-1 MSC) had won 20 straight contests against the Bears (2-1, 1-0 MSC) at their home venue before tonight's contest. Maleigha Oldham led Lindsey Wilson with 15 points as Sydnie Hall was the only other Blue Raider in double figures with 10.

Pikeville dominated the glass, outrebounding LWC 41-31. Lindsey Wilson's offense struggled shooting just 35 percent from the field, well below their season average. The Bears managed a mark of 48.4 percent from the floor including knocking down 7-of-18 three-point attempts.

Pikeville opened the game on a 7-0 run over the opening three minutes, but the Blue Raiders battled back to take their first lead of the game at 14-12 with just over four minutes to play. The Bears leveled the score on their next possession as they took a 17-16 lead after the opening 10 minutes.

Lindsey Wilson shot just 35.3 percent from the floor in the quarter while the Bears hit a 46.7 mark.

The Blue Raiders' offensive woes continued in the second quarter as Pikeville pushed their lead to a double-digits at 26-16 due to a 9-0 Bear run over four minutes. Lindsey Wilson knocked down back-to-back baskets to pull within five at 26-21 with 5:02 on the clock.

The Bears pulled away over the final five minutes of the first half, taking a 39-27 lead into the break. Pikeville shot 47.1 percent from the floor over the opening 20 minutes as LWC managed a 30.3 mark. The Bears were an efficient 6-of-12 from three.

Lindsey Wilson fell behind by as many as 15 points in the third quarter with 8:08 on the clock before rallying to a 47-43, four-point deficit with four minutes to play. The mark was as close as LWC got to regaining the lead. Pikeville pushed their lead to as many as 15 points twice in the fourth quarter.

The Bears ultimately won the contest 73-60 to hand Lindsey Wilson their first loss of the season.

Lindsey Wilson returns to the court on Thursday when they hit the road for the first time this season against Cumberland (Tenn.). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm CT in Lebanon, Tennessee.