PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Four players reached double digits in the scoring column as the University of Pikeville opened AAC play with a 69-53 win over Milligan (Tenn.) University on Wednesday night.
 
UPike remained unbeaten on the season, improving to 5-0. It was a matchup between the preseason favorite, the Bears, and the Buffaloes, who were tabbed third in the preseason coaches poll.
 
The Bears led 31-26 at the half and never trailed, building toward the biggest lead of the game, which was on the scoreboard at the end.
 
UPike overcame a 42.6 percent shooting effort and 29.2 percent from the arc by a stellar defensive effort. The Bears contributed to the Buffs shooting 32.9 percent overall and 12.5 percent from outside.
 
Milligan (4-2, 0-1) was 1-of-1 from the free throw line on the night.
 
Junior Keynan Cutlip led the Bears with 15 points; he also had five rebounds.
 
Junior Bradley Bunch, two days after being named the initial AAC Offensive Player of the Week, had 12 points, nine rebounds, four blocked shots, three assists and two steals in the win.
 
Grad student Cade Looney and junior Tyler Best had 11 points each. Looney grabbed six rebounds while Best was 4-of-6 overall and 3-for-4 from the outside.
 
Milligan got very nice performances from sophomore McCaskill Rivers and graduate student Handje Tamba. Rivers led all scorers with 20 points while pulling down seven rebounds, while Tamba finished with 13 points and 16 boards.
 
Their efforts led the Buffs to a comfortable 52-36 advantage in the rebounding column.
 
UPike will be back in action on Saturday afternoon when they visit Athens, Tenn., to play Bryan College. The second game of a doubleheader, the tip is scheduled for 4 p.m.