PIKEVILLE, Ky. – UPIKE men's basketball had to fight off a last second scare but still got back to its winning ways on Monday by defeating Thomas More, 68-64.

Pikeville was able to pull of the win despite being without the services of three of its regular players including two big men that would've helped greatly against the numerous bigs of Thomas More.

As a result, freshman JJ Ramey got his first career start and picked up another double-figure scoring night with 11 points, including multiple big 3-pointers. He also grabbed three rebounds and had four assists.

The Bears actually had to withstand two barrages from the Saints at the bookends of the game. Thomas More opened the game with a 13-6 lead, the largest it would hold for the entire game.

Pikeville slowly chipped away at that lead, eventually tying it at the halftime buzzer after a steal from Korbin Spencer led to an alley-oop lay-up to knot it at 28.

A large part of that UPIKE comeback came from Da'Rell Domineck who had eight of his 11 points in the first half, as well as two rebounds in the closing minute of the period.

Both teams turned up their offense in the second half, with Pikeville exploding out the gate. UPIKE never trailed in the second half and had the lead as large as 12 points with seven minutes to go.

Thomas More made their comeback with a series of backdoor plays and three-pointers and got the lead down to a one-possession game in the final minute. However, UPIKE hit their last six free throws to keep the Saints at bay and preserve the win.

Jordan Perry had a big role in that last stand, making two of those six free throws and scoring 12 of his game-high tying 20 points after halftime.

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UPIKE once again has little time to rest up before heading to Campbellsville on Thursday to take on the Tigers. Tip-off against Campbellsville is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Thursday.

-UPIKE-