GRAYSON, Ky. – Two Bears turned in double-doubles as the University of Pikeville picked up a hard-earned road win, beating Kentucky Christian University 79-74 Wednesday night.
 
The Bears took a 42-37 lead to the half and played the Knights even in the second 20 minutes to pick up the AAC win.
 
UPike (16-5, 14-3 in the league) trailed 18-13 with 11:32 left in the first half after freshman LeMar Northington scored inside. The Bears needed only 1:17 to take the lead.
 
It started with a three from sophomore Connor Lane. Two free throws with Kyonte Thomas tied the game, and when sophomore Keynan Cutlip hit a jumper with 9:46 left in the half, UPike led 20-18.
 
KCU (5-14, 3-12) scored the next six points, however, to regain the lead. Four of them came from freshman Rheyce DeBoard, including the free throw with 7:33 left to give the Knights a 24-20 lead.
 
The Bears used a 10-2 run late in the half to take the lead for good. They hit all five of their shots in the run, getting six from senior Issac Stanback, and when Cutlip scored with 2:01 left, they led 38-32.
 
In the second half, the Bears led by 10 points twice, while the Knights drew as close as four with 3:43 to play at 71-67, but drew no closer.
 
Stanback led four Bears in double figures with 20 points and 11 rebounds. He also three steals. Thomas, who was 11-of-12 from the line, tossed in 19 points to go with five rebounds. Sophomore Bradley Bunch had 16 points and 10 rebounds while leading the team with three assists.
 
Thanks to those efforts, the Bears finished the game with a 39-29 advantage in the rebounding column.
 
Lane finished with 10 points.
 
DeBoard led all scorers with 24 for the Knights. Junior Eric Sanders followed with 20 points to go with a team-leading six rebounds. Northington added 14.
 
The Bears are back in action on Monday, playing host to Reinhardt (Ga.) University. The game will be played at the Appalachian Wireless Arena with the special start time of 5:30 p.m.