PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore Bradley Bunch had a career-high 25 points as the University of Pikeville maintained its share of the lead in the AAC standings on Thursday night with a 99-94 win over Montreat (N.C.) College at the Appalachian Wireless Arena.
 
UPike improved to 12-4 on the season and 10-2 in league play, while Montreat fell to 5-9, 3-7.
 
Montreat made an early 10-2 run to take a lead in the first half. It lasted 2:37 and saw three players score, and when junior Jordan Maze scored on a layup with 13:39 left, the Cavaliers were on top 16-11.
 
The Cavs weren't content, extending the lead to 11 (29-18) when junior Collin Mills scored on a layup with 7:26 left in the half.
 
The Bears settled in, needing less than four minutes to regain the lead. Four players contributed to the 11-2 run, and when senior Jeremy Dillon scored inside, the Bears were in front 31-29 with 3:16 left.
 
Montreat led 40-39 before the Bears scored the final eight points of the half. All of them came from sophomore Bradley Bunch, and UPike took a 47-40 lead to the break.
 
The Bears made it a 12-0 run with the first two buckets of the second half, with Bunch again scoring the first of the baskets.
 
Montreat wasn't finished, and when sophomore Michael Erbeck nailed a three with 12:59 left, the Rams were back within three at 66-63.
 
The Bears, however, ran off the next seven points. The teams went back and forth over the last 13 minutes of play. UPike led by 13 at one point before the Cavs cut it to three, 90-87, with 3:21 left.
 
They got within three one more time at 92-89, but no closer as the Bears closed out the hard-earned win.
 
Bunch was joined in double figures by senior Issac Stanback's 21 and team-best six rebounds. Junior Kyonte Thomas had 17 while sophomore Keian Worrix finished with 13, as well as four assists and three steals.
 
Montreat was led by freshman Dyllan Barnwell's 18 points and nine rebounds, while Mills finished with 18 as well. Junior Jarden Maze had 15 points while junior Tyler Murray added 10.
 
UPike will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, visiting Columbia International (S.C.) University. The second game of a doubleheader, it is slated to start at 4 p.m.