Box Score
PIKEVILLE, Ky. – It was Chris Cantino's world at the East Kentucky Exposition Center on Saturday night, powering his way to 24 points and 17 rebounds as his No. 7 University of Pikeville men's basketball team topped West Virginia Tech 101-72.

The Golden Bears were no slouch, coming into the game with a 3-0 record, receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 and scoring nearly 100 points a contest.

But Cantino and the rebound-minded Bears (5-0) made sure they'd stay undefeated with a 33-10 advantage in second-chance points. UPIKE outrebounded West Virginia Tech 51-26 overall and 25-8 on the offensive glass.

Josh Whitaker added 17 points and a game-high four assists, John Nunnally scored 14 points off the bench and Elisha Justice was solid with 11 points and seven boards. Bruce Reed was limited to just 22 minutes with foul trouble but still managed nine points and seven rebounds.

The Golden Bears got 19 points from Jauries Thomas and 13 from Jaren Marino.

Both teams shot below 50 percent from the field and below 35 percent from three. Points in the paint were close with UPIKE on top 40-32, meaning the numerous second-chance baskets were the pivotal difference in the outcome.

West Virginia Tech scored the first four points of the game, but a 3-pointer from Whitaker tied it at 4-4 and another three from Justice made it 7-4 and the lead continued to swell from there as UPIKE completed a 15-0 run.

The lead reached 28 points after a Nunnally free throw with just over a minute left in the first half. UPIKE took a 46-18 lead into halftime, allowing just 14 points over the final 18 minutes.

A layup from Keala King made the lead 36 at 83-47 with nine minutes to play as UPIKE went deep into its bench for the rest of the game.

The Golden Bears trimmed the deficit to 26 twice before a basket and free throw from Trey Rakes took the Bears over 100 points in the final minute.

UPIKE goes on the road for the first time in the regular-season on Tuesday, taking on Life University in Marietta, Ga.