PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Johnson University put four players in double figures and upset the University of Pikeville 74-70 on Saturday.
 
The loss ended a five-game win streak and was Pikeville's first in a year and a day, dating back to Jan. 19, 2023 when it lost to Bethel (Tenn.) University.
 
The Bears now stand 15-5 on the season and 13-3 in the league and still stands alone at the top of the AAC standings, although the loss drew Union College even in the loss column.
 
Johnson improved to 11-6 overall, 10-4 in the conference.
 
UPike led 14-13 when it ran off nine unanswered points. Sophomore Keian Worrix got it started with a layup, followed by a bucket by junior Issac Stanback. Junior Kyonte Thomas nailed two free throws before a three-pointer by sophomore Keynan Cutlip put the Bears on top 23-13 with 12:02 left in the half.
 
The Bears led 31-23 with four minutes left when the Royals went on a 7-0 to get back within one. Freshman Dallas Carbaugh got it started with a three-point play, followed by layups by juniors Malique Oates and Bernie McGuinness to pull within one, 31-30, with 2:29 to play.
 
UPike got layins in the final minute by Thomas and Worrix to take a 35-30 lead to the break.
 
The second half was a battle that saw Johnson draw within two points on three different occasions, while the Bears never led by more than eight in the first 18 minutes of play.
 
That changed with 1:54 left when junior guard Isaiah Poore scored inside. It gave him the game's last seven points and pulled the Royals within one, 68-67.
 
The Bears got a free throw by Stanback to end the run, but Poor sank two tosses with 1:21 left to tie the game at 69.
 
With 53.4 seconds left, Trey Prater sank two free throws to give the Royals their first lead of the game. With 27.9 seconds left, Prater added one more to make it a three-point lead, 72-69.
 
UPike finished the game 28-of-65 (43.1 percent) overall, but made only 2-of-15 (13.3 percent) from the arc and 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from the line.
 
Johnson's difference was at the stripe. It shot 41.4 percent from the floor and 17.6 percent from outside, but made 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) from the line.
 
UPike had four players in double figures in the scoring column and three finish with double-doubles in the loss. Stanback had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Bunch had 15 and 15 while Dillon recorded 11 and 11.
 
Thomas tossed in 12.
 
The Royals were led by junior Toris Woods, who had 15 points. Oates finished with 12 points and a team-best nine rebounds. Poore came off the bench for 11, while junior Josh Alexander tossed in 10 points.
 
Johnson protected the basketball, turning it over only six times. The Bears committed 15 turnovers in the loss.

The Bears are back in action on Wednesday night when they travel to Grayson to play Kentucky Christian. Game time is 7:30 p.m.