WILLIAMSON, W.Va. – WVU Tech used a 14-minute stretch of the game to outscore the University of Pikeville 34-13 and held on for a 79-74 win on Thursday night in the Coalfields Legends Classic at the historic Williamson Field House.
 
WVU Tech (10-2) trailed 32-24 after UPike got back-to-back three-pointers from juniors Wade Pelfrey and Bradley Bunch with 3:49 left in the first half.
 
From there, Tech hit 12 of its next 24 shots from the field and all eight free throws, but the story was on the other end: UPike made only 4-for-18 overall and missed all seven three-point baskets in the stretch. It ended with seven straight points by the Golden Bears and a 57-45 lead with 9:29 to play in the game.
 
In the run, sophomore Braden Chapman had 12 for Tech and finished with a game-high 27.
 
WVU Tech came out hot and scored the first five points, getting a three-point play by Braden Chapman and a bucket from Cameron Danser. UPike needed 30 seconds to tie the game on a three from LA Walker and a layup by Cade Looney.
 
Tech led 13-11 before the Bears had a 10-2 run to take a comfortable lead. Four different Bears had baskets, and when junior Bradley Bunch scored inside off a pass from Walker, the lead was 21-15 with 9:29 left in the half.
 
Back-to-back three-point baskets by junior Wade Pelfrey and Bunch gave UPike a 32-23 lead with 4:34 to play before Tech went on the lengthy game-deciding run.
 
Tech finished the game shooting 46.2 percent from the floor and 28.4 percent from the arc. The deciding stat is probably free-throw shooting, where it hit 27-of-33 for 81.8 percent.
 
UPike (13-3) shot 45.3 percent overall and 36 percent from outside. At the stripe, the Bears were 17-of-23, 73.9 percent.
 
Chapman was joined in double figures by junior Thomas Hailey, who had 19 points and eight rebounds. Senior Darrin Martin had 14 points.
 
Bunch paced the Bears with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Walker tossed in 18 points, grabbing four rebounds and handing out three assists.
 
Junior guard Keian Worrix had eight points while handing out four assists and picking up three steals.
 
UPike is finished with the pre-Christmas portion of the schedule and will return to action on Saturday, January 4 when it visits Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. Tip off it slated for 4 p.m.
 
The next home game is Tuesday, January 7 when the Bears host Bluefield (Va.) University at 7:30 p.m. at Appalachian Wireless Arena.