After leading by 19 points shortly before halftime, the University of Pikeville was forced to hold on for an 81-75 win over Columbian International (S.C.) University Saturday afternoon in the UPike Gym.
 
The noose got tight down the stretch, and when sophomore Jeffrey Clark scored on a layup with 19 seconds to play, the Rams were within two at 77-75.
 
From there, however, it became a free throw contest, and sophomore Jaylan Rigdon and freshman Zion Blevins hit two tosses apiece, setting the score at its final.
 
UPike improved to 3-2 overall, 2-0 in the AAC, as Head Coach Tigh Compton became only the fourth coach in school history win 100 games in his career.
 
CIU is now 4-3, 0-1 in the league.
 
CIU took a 10-8 lead early in the first half before UPike scored three straight buckets, all of them three-pointers. Senior Keian Worrix sank the first before senior Bradley Bunch hit two straight, giving the Bears a 17-10 lead with 14:31 left in the half.
 
Another 9-0 run that took less than three minutes gave the Bears a double digit lead. Freshman Jace Copley hit a three to start it, and when senior Keynan Cutlip dropped a triple, the Bears led 26-15 midway through the half.
 
Three straight trips with layups pushed the edge to 14. They came from senior LA Walker, freshman Jace Copley and Bunch, making the score 36-22 with 4:17 to play.
 
Late in the half, UPike scored eight straight, coming as Bunch hit two free throws sandwiched between three-point baskets by Copley and sophomore Jaylan Ridgon to bloat the lead to 47-28.
 
Junior Johnny Whysong hit a jumper before the half ended, making the UPike lead 17 (47-30).
 
A free throw by Bunch pushed the Bears back in front by 12 (77-65) with 3:31 to play. But over the next 3:04, the Rams scored 10 consecutive points, ending with Clark's layup with 19 ticks left.
 
Bunch led five Bears in double digits with 15 points. He also recorded 10 rebounds as the teams finished even there with 36 each.
 
Blevins tossed in 14 thanks to being perfect on six free throws. Senior LA Walker followed with 13, Rigdon had 11 and Copley 10.
 
Whysong led the Rams with 20 points and 12 rebounds, followed by senior Will Kelley with 18. Senior James Davis fired in 17 while Clark finished with 11.
 
UPike will be back on the floor Wednesday night when they visit Johnson (Tenn.) University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.