Pikeville, Ky. – For the 16^th consecutive season, UPIKE men's basketball begins their season 1-0 following Sunday afternoon's 95-57 rout of Virginia University of Lynchburg.

A cast of new talent was on display, featuring 11 Bears who suited up for Coach Compton and company for the first time. Teddy Parham Jr., a senior from Chadron State, led the charge with 20 points on 7-10 shooting from the field. Parham went 2-4 from deep and finished a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe in 19 minutes of action.

UPIKE managed a clean 53.5% from the field, connecting on 38 of 71 attempts. The Bears shot 37% from beyond the arc and made nine of 15 free throws. The Bears claimed the rebound advantage 41-29, led by Elijah Herron who pulled in nine.

Six Bears finished with 10 or more points, including Shaunn Monroe who went 5-8 to total 13 points. Monroe added a team-leading six assists as well. Two-time All-MSC selection Korbin Spencer played floor general, dropping in 11 points, four assists, seven rebounds, and a pair of steals. Spencer also led from deep, draining 3-7.

The Bears shook the rust off in the opening minutes, falling behind by five after the Vul Dragons quickly dropped in a layup followed by a three. Herron slammed home the first points of the season from the Bears off a dish from Brown, and Spencer knotted the game at five immediately after with a three. VA-Lynchburg brought the energy in the opening half, playing the Bears within three points until the 6:28 mark.

A 20-3 run in the final six and a half minutes of the first half put the Bears in the drivers seat heading into halftime. Six of those points came from Monroe while Spencer and Devin Collins added threes.  UPIKE's offensive surge was helped along by 4 forced turnovers and a block by Collins.

Parham Jr. carried the torch in the second half, scoring 11 points on 4-4 from the field. Noel Kintz made the most of his minutes, splashing a pair of threes to lead from deep. Eloge Ntumba showcased his size and athleticism with a pair of blocks while Keian Worrix relieved Spencer and dished out three assists.

The Bears fired off an 11-0 run coming out of the break, capitalizing on a pair of scoop and scores, the first coming on a connection from Spencer to Collins. A few possessions later, Collins came up with the steal and completed the play with an assist to Brown. UPIKE took a hefty 24-10 advantage in fast break points, also besting the Vul Dragons 24-8 in points off turnovers.

UPIKE men's basketball will step out of regular season play this week for an exhibition with Marshall University on Wednesday, November 2^nd. Tip-off from the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, W. Va. is slated for 6:00 PM and tickets can be found here.