PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Graduate student Jordan Perry tossed in 34 points to get Tigh Compton's coaching career off to a roaring start with a 97-75 win over the University of Rio Grande Friday night at Appalachian Wireless Arena.
 
Perry, who came off the bench thanks to a nagging injury, was 14-of-19 overall and 3-of-5 from the arc in the win.
 
"I'm really proud of these guys, both the players and our staff," said Compton, a longtime protégé of Kelly Wells, the athletics director who presented him with the game ball after the horn. "This has been a crazy preseason and it could have easily been a distraction for these guys, but they made no excuse.
 
"We've got some things to work on, but tonight we got what we needed. I'm just really proud of these guys."
 
Perry led five Bears in double figures. Senior Malcolm Green and freshman Jamir Simpson tossed in 12 each. Junior Christian Sweazie was 3-of-4 from the arc to finish with 11, and sophomore Korbin Spencer flipped in 10 to go with a team-high four assists.
 
Simpson added eight rebounds, including four off the offensive glass, to lead the Bears to a 36-25 advantage there.
 
Rio Grande (0-1) also had four players in double digits, led by Andrew Shull's 24. The freshman from nearby Milton, W.Va., hit six three-point shots to begin his college career.
 
Freshman Shiloah Blevins followed with 17 points. Junior Kam Harris and freshman Caleb Wallis followed with 10 points each.
 
UPike was a solid 35-of-61 from the field for 57.4 percent, and sank 11-of-21 (52.4 percent) from the arc. After shooting 40 percent in the first half, the Red Storm heated up to finish at a respectable 45.6 percent (26-of-57) shooting.
 
The Bears trailed 5-2 when Perry checked into the game for the first time with just more than 18 minutes left in the opening half. Within two minutes he'd rattled in 10 straight for the Bears, including a three from the right wing and a 15-foot jumper from the win with 16:20 to play to put his team on top 12-8.
 
The first half went back and forth, with the Bears settling with a 45-39 lead at the break.
 
Rio got within five twice early in the second half, including at 58-53 when Shull sank a three from the corner with 13:49 to play. But the Bears slowly pulled away, pushing the lead to as many as 25 (97-72) with 42 seconds left when Spencer converted a steal into a layup.
 
UPike has some time off before it plays again, beginning Mid-South Conference play at home against Georgetown College on Nov. 19.