PULASKI, Tenn. – The University of Pikeville opened its basketball season with an impressive road win, getting three 20-plus point performances to knock off UT-Southern 76-59 in the Joe Hardin Classic on Friday.
 
The Bears trailed 35-33 early in the second half before rattling off a 24-5 run over the next 11 minutes to pull away for the win.
 
A Vito Vujovic layup gave the Firehawks the two-point lead with 18:34 left before the Bears pulled away. It started with a 13-0 run that began when LA Walker and Bradley Bunch nailed back-to-back three-pointers.
 
Cade Looney had two free throws around a Bunch free throw, and when Bunch scored inside, the Bears were on top 46-35 with 14:26 left.
 
Vujovic hit a three-pointer, but the Bears responded with a Connor Lane three and a layup by Looney. After former Bear Mark Vance scored on a layup, UPike finished the extended run with two free throws by Looney before Bunch had a layup and nailed another three.
 
Suddenly, the Bears were on top 57-40 with 7:55 left in the game.
 
UT-Southern (1-1) scored the next eight points to pull within nine, but the Bears scored 10 of the next 11 points, with Bunch and Walker splitting the load, and were up 67-49 with 3:36 left.
 
Looney, a graduate student from Grundy, Va., had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Bears in both columns. Bunch had 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Walker followed with 20 markers and six rebounds.
 
The Bears outshot the Firehawks 46.9 percent to 40.0 percent and dominated the glass to the tune of 41-27. They also had 15 assists and 11 turnovers, while their hosts had nine assists and 13 turnovers.
 
Three Firehawks scored in double figures, led by Eric Robinson's 19 points. He was 7-of-11 overall and made all three of his three-point tries. Vujovic followed with 13 points to go with four steals, while Mike Bell had a dozen.
 
UPike will have to rest fast, as it completes play in the Jon Hardin Classic on Saturday with a game against Stillman (Ala.) College. The game is set to tip off at 1 p.m. Eastern time.