DAYTON, Tenn. – The University of Pikeville ran its season-opening win streak to six on Saturday with a 98-88 win over Bryan (Tenn.) University.
 
The win means the Bears are one of only two teams in the league to finish the first week of league play at 2-0, and came over the Lions, picked fifth in the AAC in the preseason, to move them to 3-4 overall, 1-1 in the conference.
 
Only six of the 14 teams in the league are unbeaten after Saturday's action.
 
The Bears scored the first four points on buckets by graduate student Cade Looney and junior Keynan Cutlip.
 
A three-pointer by Josh Baugher put Bryan on top 8-6 with 17:41 left. A layup by Regale Moore with 16:51 left put the Lions in front 10-9.
 
Then junior LA Walker hit a three-pointer to begin an 11-0 run in which he had eight to put UPike on top 20-10 with 14:54 to play.
 
The Bears never trailed again.
 
Walker posted a season-best 28 points in the win. The Columbus, Ohio, native hit three three-point shots and was 7-of-7 from the line while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists.
 
Junior Bradley Bunch followed with 22 points and led the team with nine rebounds as the Bears won that battle 36-32. Bunch also had three from outside.
 
Freshman Jaylen Rigdon hit double digits for the first time in his career, tossing in 12. For good measure, he also had six rebounds, three assists and sank all four of his free throw attempts.
 
The Bears finished the game 21-of-23 from the foul line, hitting 91.6 percent.
 
Baugher had 26 to lead the Lions. He was 11-of-18 overall and 3-of-5 from the arc. Additionally, he had nine rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals.
 
Dalen Gales had 18 points, six rebounds and four assists. Regale Moore followed with 16 points, while Kheller Die and Kole Torres flipped in 11 each.
 
The Bears will be back in action on Wednesday night when they return to the UPike Gym to host Reinhardt. The game, the second of a doubleheader, is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.