COLUMBIA, S.C. – A second-half rally allowed the University of Pikeville to keep the rest of the AAC at arm's length on Monday, turning a five-point deficit into an 89-80 win over Columbia International University.
 
UPike improved to 20-3 on the season, marking its fourth straight 20-win season. In doing so, it moved to 13-1 in the league, pushing its lead over second-place Johnson (Tenn.) to 2-1/2 games with five contests remaining in the regular season.
 
The key stretch in the game came in the latter stages of the second half after a free throw by Freshman Rhett Warga gave the Rams a 63-58 lead with 8:49 left.
 
In each of the next three possessions, the Bears nailed three-point shots. First by Worrix, then Bunch and finally Worrix again, turning a five-point deficit into a four-point (67-63) lead with 6:55 to play.
 
From the 8:49 mark of the game, UPike outscored CIU 31-17 to secure the win.
 
Bunch led five Bears in double figures with 23, and was the team's leader on the glass with nine rebounds. Freshman Zion Blevins followed with 18 points and seven rebounds.
 
Senior LA Walker had 15 points in the win, while Worrix added 12 and Keynan Cutlip 10.
 
Sophomore guard Rylee Samons just missed being the sixth Bear in double digits with nine points, while sophomore Jaylan Rigdon led the Bears with four assists.
 
CIU (14-9, 9-6) was led by sophomore guard Jeffrey Clark with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Seniors Will Kelly and JJ Vaughn fired in 17 points each.
 
Warga, who had eight points, matched Clark with 10 rebounds while junior Johnny Whysong was solid across the board, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
 
UPike will stay on the road on Wednesday and face another herd of Rams, playing at Bluefield (Va.) University. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.