PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The final home game in the Kelly Wells era was a resounding success on Tuesday as the Bears led nearly wire-to-wire in a 98-73 win over NCAA D-II Bluefield State.

With the win, UPIKE has won 20 games for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons, including eight straight. 

After the Big Blues took a 2-0 lead off the opening tip, UPIKE never trailed in the ball game and got a big lead early behind 54 percent shooting in the first half.

UPIKE held a 10-8 lead in the early going before JJ Ramey took over for a bit with a 7-0 run by himself to build what was the Bears' largest lead at that time. Ramey was the driving force of the Pikeville offense in the first half, scoring 15 of his 17 total points before halftime.

Luke Layhew was UPIKE's leading scorer, finishing a rebound shy of his 10th double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds.

Toward the end of the first half UPIKE turned up the defensive intensity and forced nine Big Blue turnovers. The Bears also found great success from outside, making 10 3-pointers in the game, the most since defeating Lindsey Wilson earlier this month.

By the end of the first half Pikeville built a comfortable 20-point lead.

The Bears were able to cruise to victory in the second half as some other players began to fill up the stat sheet. In addition to Layhew and Ramey, Deandre Barton (14 points, six rebounds), Xaviar Gaona (12 points, five rebounds), and Jordan Perry (10 points, four rebounds) all reached double figures.

Despite finishing with just seven points, Jazz Parker was a big facilitator for the Bears' offense with seven assists. UPIKE's 21 total assists are also the most since the aforementioned Lindsey Wilson game.

UP NEXT

UPIKE has one more regular season contest left on the docket as the Bears will travel to take on Shawnee State at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday in Portsmouth, Ohio.

-UPIKE-