PIKEVILLE, Ky. – It wasn't necessarily the easiest or prettiest game for UPIKE men's basketball on Wednesday, but things finally clicked late with a big run and the Bears walked away with a 76-56 win over Bluefield.

The Bears closed on a 21-3 run to finally cast away doubt from fans' minds after the Rams gave Pikeville big trouble early on.

Pikeville struggled offensively in the first half, but were able to keep pace with the Rams thanks to a great effort from Da'Rell Domineck off the bench.

Domineck scored 10 points in the first half and Jazz Parker hit a buzzer-beater in the corner to help guide the Bears to a 30-29 halftime lead. The Cincinnati native scored 18 points off the bench to lead the team, his highest since he scored 19 against Shawnee State in February of last season.

Bluefield held the lead for most of the first six minutes of the second half until others on the Bears staff came alive.

Xaviar Gaona scored 13 of his 15 points after halftime, including seven in the game closing run. Dez Brown is also making the most of his increased playing time so far this season by grabbing nine rebounds.

While the Bears' offense was the obvious cause of the run, their defense also stepped up late by causing Bluefield to miss its last seven shots and forcing five turnovers.

UP NEXT

UPIKE's season opening homestand continues this weekend with the Appalachian Wireless Classic. Pikeville hosts Miami-Hamilton at 8:00 p.m. Friday and Bethel at 4:00 p.m. Saturday. All games are at Appalachian Wireless Arena.

-UPIKE-