After a two-week layoff due to the incredible weather in the area, the University of Pikeville began a season-ending stretch of eight games in 18 days with a 102-75 win over Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday night.
 
UPike is now 18-3 on the season and improved to 11-1 in the AAC. The win came over longtime UPike assistant Randy Casey, who is in his second season with the Bulldogs.
 
UPike scored the first 12 points en route to a 21-2 lead seven minutes into the game.
 
Senior LA Walker scored eight points in the 12-0 run, including a three with 17:15 left in the half to push the lead to double figures.
 
After a basket by sophomore Ty Runyon stopped the run, freshman Zion Blevins had five of the next nine, and when sophomore Jaylan Rigdon scored on a layup with 13:01 left in the half, the lead was 21-2.
 
Just as importantly as the offensive performance was what the Bears were able to do on the defensive end. While UPike was running out to a 19-point lead, it was holding the Bulldogs to 1 basket in their first 12 shots.
 
The lead reached 20 for the first time with 10:34 remaining when senior Keian Worrix converted a three-point play to make the lead 28-6. And when an 8-0 run ended with a three by sophomore Rylee Samons with 5:19 to play, the Bears advantage was 30 at 50-20.
 
At the half, UPike led 58-29.
 
Walker paced four Bears in double figures with 21 points. He added eight rebounds and three assists. Senior guard Bradley Bunch followed with 20 points, a game high 13 rebounds and five steals.
 
Rigdon came off the bench for 18 points and four steals, while Blevins fired in 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as the Bears outrebounded the Bulldogs 48-37.
 
Tennessee Wesleyan, 9-9 and 8-6, had two players reach double digits. Junior JJ Rueckert finished with 15 points while junior Charles Neverdon followed with 14.
 
The Bears will return to action on Saturday when Columbia (S.C.) College comes to the Appalachian Wireless Arena. The second game of a doubleheader, game time is scheduled for 4 p.m.