PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- Kelly Wells became the all-time basketball wins leader at the University of Pikeville as his team dismantled visiting Bob Jones (S.C.) 77-53 on Friday night at the East Ky. Expo Center.
Former women's basketball coach Bill Watson held the record, leading the Bears to 242 wins in his 16 seasons, before Wells grabbed win number 243 against the Bruins in his 11th season at the helm.
Wells talked about the record not being possible without the help of his players and outstanding assistants, and on Friday, the latest athlete to help the coach was newcomer Jordan Perry, netting 17 points with three 3-pointers.
Michael Lewis pitched in with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Darrion Leslie had a complete six points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.
UPIKE (12-3) shot 46.8 percent from the field while holding Bob Jones to a 42.0 clip. The Bears won the battle of the boards 34-30 and did the bulk or their damage by forcing 25 turnovers, which turned into 30 points in transition. Free throws played a role as well as the Bruins made just 5-of-8, compared to a 14-of-19 showing by UPIKE.
Bob Jones' leading scorer Marshall Riddle was held seven points below his average with 13, earning a near full-game faceguard from his defender after hitting seven threes in UPIKE's first meeting with the Bruins this season. The Bears won that one 94-73 in early November despite Bob Jones (2-12) shooting 60 percent from three and Riddle tallying 28 points.
HOW IT WENT DOWN
The Bears had a great start, jumping out to a 13-point lead at 17-4 in the first eight minutes. There was an 11-0 run in that span, ending with a tough 3-point play by Desmond Medder. Bob Jones went on a quick 6-0 run of its own to get within seven, but that's as close as it would get in the half.
UPIKE answered right back with 11 straight points and eventually grabbed a lead as high as 22 points in the frame on Lewis' fast-break dunk just before the break to make it 35-13.
While Bob Jones never led in the game, it fared much better in the second half, being outscored just 42-40.
Still, the Bears were able to pull ahead by 29 points with four minutes left on a Perry 3-pointer, but the Bruins outscored them 12-7 the rest of the way to get to the final 24-point margin. Better shooting kept the Bruins from a blowout, following up a 25-percent showing from the field in the first half with a 53.3 percent mark in the second.
QUOTABLE
"Our job as coaches is to put people where they can be successful and I could go on all day about the amount of people I need to thank. Keeping up with and getting to talk to all the former players, those are the coaching paychecks I look for. This record will be a ball that goes on my shelf, but the memories behind it are those guys that performed in the games." - UPIKE Head Coach Kelly Wells
PASSING THE TORCH
"Kelly Wells is one of the classiest people I've ever known, and it's no surprise that he has broken my record for wins at UPIKE. My time in Pikeville was a very special part of my life and I know deep down I will always be a Bear. I congratulate Coach Wells on his accomplishment and wish him and his program nothing but the best." - Former UPIKE women's basketball coach Bill Watson
UP NEXT
There's no better way to celebrate a record than a trip south, which is where the Bears will take the court next against Florida National on Dec. 28 in Hialeah, Fla.
-UPIKE-
